tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74724375591966515982024-03-05T22:32:25.539-07:00Sleepless Ronins ReviewsAn entertainment blog about Video Games, Anime, Movies, and more. (Under Revision Currently)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger304125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-15943901170565937842016-07-26T01:47:00.001-06:002016-07-26T01:47:41.281-06:00Batman: The Killing Joke [Fathom Movie Event]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBXWmWV9edlyGtwE99AM1dHpIMy1frXT3kyXyX20eab_cPK9P5x2fIWWOIe_bqNA57TT8WI1ya3dTkozYMje4XMOB-ZMw9H0wB5Rezxw49pvu996t8_9RiQZAh7Y8Dqbrd8oreoiUeXWY/s1600/TKJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBXWmWV9edlyGtwE99AM1dHpIMy1frXT3kyXyX20eab_cPK9P5x2fIWWOIe_bqNA57TT8WI1ya3dTkozYMje4XMOB-ZMw9H0wB5Rezxw49pvu996t8_9RiQZAh7Y8Dqbrd8oreoiUeXWY/s640/TKJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Let me reiterate that I do not read American comics. No matter how much I love the MCU, no matter how much I enjoy the Arrowverse, no matter that I've seen so many of the cartoons... I do not read American comics (aside from the new Marvel <i>Star Wars</i> comics - cause those are <i>Star Wars</i>). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjThkfyc4QQ5hvQGg1-_rjFHR03nJmIJT0UuCo5fy4ud-YaEvtbPvvIVMmg0RTMvY0Lf2mMtJwGzhH9dGAoDT4VSO_ceiwKFvWqITDasHTF5fWOv4rMGP1otS48kl4iAyqMssn9sbAm9HU/s1600/Batman-The-Killing-Joke01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjThkfyc4QQ5hvQGg1-_rjFHR03nJmIJT0UuCo5fy4ud-YaEvtbPvvIVMmg0RTMvY0Lf2mMtJwGzhH9dGAoDT4VSO_ceiwKFvWqITDasHTF5fWOv4rMGP1otS48kl4iAyqMssn9sbAm9HU/s400/Batman-The-Killing-Joke01.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">That's a real good and creepy shot. Very morbid. I like it. </span></td></tr>
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I'm saying this because I made a terrible mistake. <br /><br />I learned too much about this movie before seeing it. I learned about the stupid complaints from the SDCC panel, I learned about the plot on accident... I wish I had not.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgiwrEEMoBOAcKtd8_7I7PU3XLCQ3TjhZH0S5KbWyFwbsfe2e7D9VZDo3FaYURZXst_xvAcE6AywcU36bLR18sa7Pm_iY_qWJ5KP-CEd5BDlsCY4mIIykgXLvUdhcx8wh6muOvFkzT_oe/s1600/Joker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgiwrEEMoBOAcKtd8_7I7PU3XLCQ3TjhZH0S5KbWyFwbsfe2e7D9VZDo3FaYURZXst_xvAcE6AywcU36bLR18sa7Pm_iY_qWJ5KP-CEd5BDlsCY4mIIykgXLvUdhcx8wh6muOvFkzT_oe/s400/Joker.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I never knew the Joker's back story.</span></td></tr>
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I so wish I had not learned as much as I did.<br />
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I kept waiting for moments to come. I knew things that were going to happen... I had the dreaded foreknowledge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2TKvdWkfOMWC7OAXac0Wv4aAGtW7WfNOAAnPecTRfvxvuiTxG-VJxno2tcQhJxOwGXj4BplVKrQOCzaOvylcwn5XaQC1Rm866Zl7JqUXgklbN8lmjp8gLR_4EuEb0wz8LjwDoh8Zt7i6/s1600/KillingJoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2TKvdWkfOMWC7OAXac0Wv4aAGtW7WfNOAAnPecTRfvxvuiTxG-VJxno2tcQhJxOwGXj4BplVKrQOCzaOvylcwn5XaQC1Rm866Zl7JqUXgklbN8lmjp8gLR_4EuEb0wz8LjwDoh8Zt7i6/s400/KillingJoke.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I know this is an iconic image from the comic... but why does he have<br />a robot eye? I mean that looks like a robot eye to me... </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVSaKjvnPAf0mXsK9KGXB4fJB6CTNYLpeZSJNYUDpN-3Evl9GGThggTS_yjzFjycmNnrSY2YQwu-v_wV0qEwB13ANiG_M2JnkOnpDCyghyphenhyphen5Bi5splGMBXtboOaMBT1g_X1b9BXmqHEOQu/s1600/BG-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVSaKjvnPAf0mXsK9KGXB4fJB6CTNYLpeZSJNYUDpN-3Evl9GGThggTS_yjzFjycmNnrSY2YQwu-v_wV0qEwB13ANiG_M2JnkOnpDCyghyphenhyphen5Bi5splGMBXtboOaMBT1g_X1b9BXmqHEOQu/s400/BG-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I honestly think that without expanding Batgirl's story in this movie<br />the emotional impact and weight would have been far less powerful.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19zEQQGnLIaV7myzAauPGSG5bIQrRA_412krp0uS3h4onTRNCt7yBOZ1HZ7pIVucT9LLNoE7EzuChfz5iDWf2REAHYZWG3Uiq9K8BPY5CheQvQTJVOEWgmEZxtl1x4krvrogk8tQp6I8S/s1600/GordonBreaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19zEQQGnLIaV7myzAauPGSG5bIQrRA_412krp0uS3h4onTRNCt7yBOZ1HZ7pIVucT9LLNoE7EzuChfz5iDWf2REAHYZWG3Uiq9K8BPY5CheQvQTJVOEWgmEZxtl1x4krvrogk8tQp6I8S/s400/GordonBreaking.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">These images are actually less graphic than the graphic novel.<br />And this movie was rated 'R.'</span></td></tr>
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Still the movie has significant impact. It was very well told. <br /><br />There are really two main characters in this movie, and neither are Batman. That's actually really great. <br /><br />They are Batgirl, who narrates a bit of the first part, and to whom we form an emotional bond in the first part of the story. And, honestly, if they had not written this new material, made her into essentially the first half's main character... this movie would have been far far less. She lent the movie greater emotional depth. <br /><br />Oh, I can hear the screams of detractors. "They made her weak!" "She needed to be vindicated by a man!" <br /><br />I have no idea what movie you were watching. The first part of the film was her coming to terms with two powerful forces. The obvious one, I need not mention - for it is the one that upsets those who would scream the above phrases. The second one, the one that really gave her depth, was the abyss. She is a strong character that has a day so unbearable that she should break... and... you know this is really plot relevant so I'm going to stop. Just know that she is in no way a weak character. <br /><br />Oh! And how bloody awesome is it to see a Batman cartoon movie reference Nietzsche's works? I loved it! Happy Philosopher! And it really made a good hero's arc. She learned a lot about herself when she was confronted by the abyss. She learned more than she wanted to know. This is good story telling. (I'd love to elaborate even more... but I refuse to spoil more than I already have, but suffice to say sometimes the abyss is darker and deeper than you think.)<br /><br />Yes, the Joker surprises her, and what the Joker does is completely abhorrent, utterly disgusting. It was never meant to be nice... he was never meant to be nice. He is chaos and violence and depravity all wrapped up one green haired terrifying clown. And voiced by the super talented Mark Hamill (of whom we heard more of and saw more of in this movie than we did in<i> <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-movie-review.html">The Force Awakens</a></i>.) I've got to be honest again here... I'm worried about the Joker in <i>Suicide Squad</i> because how the hell does anyone do the Joker better than Heath Ledger or Mark Hamill? Will the damage be there? <br /><br />So it should be quite obvious that despite knowing some of the story, and learning more than I should have before seeing it, I enjoyed the movie.<br /><br />But there are very few films that are not without a few flaws. <br />For me the ending was just so abrupt that I found myself really wanting more, just a little be more closure. I was glad for the inter-credits section, it helped make the movie feel like it had a better ending, but at the same time it left me somewhat confused. I'm not a comics reader, so the imagery at the end did not fully make sense to me. <br /><br />But that was not the part that bugged me the most. This movie was rated 'R' but they only cursed once (they even say 'Fig' instead of the F-bomb), the bullets and blood were still very cartoony, there was no nudity, only implied actions. Yes, the content was very brutal - and perhaps that is enough to rate it 'R,' I'm just shocked they did not do more with that rating. I mean we never even see commissioner Gordon's butt when he is naked. Male butt is like PG-13 material... not that I wanted to see old white dude butt, it just struck me as odd. Female butt with a tiny bit of string is like flat PG or something, right? Ok, even as a film major I don't get half the stuff the MPAA does with it's ratings. But this just seemed weird... the theater was even checking some IDs because the movie was rated 'R.' <br /><br />It did not seem like it deserved an 'R' rating. <br /><br />So this is a limited time showing. If you want to see it on the big screen - and hear Mark Hamill in glorious theater level full surround, you need to get to the theater really really soon... like today, cause that is it. The limited run ends Tuesday July 26th, 2016. <br /><br />This was really good. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j2Y_TjsEdz3s2DPTN32h5FDQmBwXzb2dJFIlpRCNXlCQwoEkt5c4KHYkbbq4cex0ZUvJ0jhOIPLoM5apkw3KEdRygSe9YuJQvm79pYRWkPE4LUiGpUzUoXlN6T3PAYjkRUOp1PzJbcNZ/s1600/A+Bad+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j2Y_TjsEdz3s2DPTN32h5FDQmBwXzb2dJFIlpRCNXlCQwoEkt5c4KHYkbbq4cex0ZUvJ0jhOIPLoM5apkw3KEdRygSe9YuJQvm79pYRWkPE4LUiGpUzUoXlN6T3PAYjkRUOp1PzJbcNZ/s640/A+Bad+Day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-14065477936395027962016-07-24T23:48:00.001-06:002016-07-24T23:48:38.584-06:00Oxenfree [PC Game]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLjuUATcVVl0Cq0W94LWJXtoniS1MZ0QtQrLk0iyqlZZF1FDLB0ZTK8Zxoh2uBCdHR29GNaZfIzQJ52-K2EkDF7GQII_NhUIScYWai3-qqJLfGTwmGbN-4YPEc8NASUtMrnn-s9vH8JX-/s1600/OF-Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLjuUATcVVl0Cq0W94LWJXtoniS1MZ0QtQrLk0iyqlZZF1FDLB0ZTK8Zxoh2uBCdHR29GNaZfIzQJ52-K2EkDF7GQII_NhUIScYWai3-qqJLfGTwmGbN-4YPEc8NASUtMrnn-s9vH8JX-/s640/OF-Title.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Olly Olly Oxenfree.<br />Olly Olly Oxenfree. <br />So the children sing and play games, and when the games ends they can all come out from hiding.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Again - on a boat. </span></td></tr>
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I'm honestly not sure if this has anything to do with this game... but I think it does. I really think it does.<br /><br />Do you remember playing hide-and-go-seek? When it was time for all the hidden children to come out, this is what you would shout. (I'm honestly not trying to rhyme). <br /><br />This seems important for the game.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzKOp3no0o96BVzdhsXWZbSzuDqdjzVKJyKMnSmzHaIoUXmK5URDvku5Ifb4fAHbXHxRU2-nPcvjnV066zXZwwIl5bU6oAxDKHRscueujXMDG5XzOSFqQWQPwwwsDOgJnYGp59j7vfPC2/s1600/RadioFreeOxen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzKOp3no0o96BVzdhsXWZbSzuDqdjzVKJyKMnSmzHaIoUXmK5URDvku5Ifb4fAHbXHxRU2-nPcvjnV066zXZwwIl5bU6oAxDKHRscueujXMDG5XzOSFqQWQPwwwsDOgJnYGp59j7vfPC2/s400/RadioFreeOxen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Radio Free Europe this is not. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">5 out of 5 stars!</span></td></tr>
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This is a horror / mystery game. Or maybe that should be thriller / mystery game. I want to say it is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metroidvania">metroidvania</a> game, but it is not. There's not really a lot of action jumping or running, and there are no weapons. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQNXkw1K6cMglLM0FUFdklCcLNIqD2BDYwD3K3Ns6bbO2RETNPBPcE35hNbr7JVcurrQGgGD77ZuDKK5B634IsdVoVB9ywDyBL6t90ApvZd74M9jCzTz652CePo_75ZKIIc7jZtdia4o6/s1600/Oxenfree_Camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQNXkw1K6cMglLM0FUFdklCcLNIqD2BDYwD3K3Ns6bbO2RETNPBPcE35hNbr7JVcurrQGgGD77ZuDKK5B634IsdVoVB9ywDyBL6t90ApvZd74M9jCzTz652CePo_75ZKIIc7jZtdia4o6/s400/Oxenfree_Camp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Honestly the artwork is very cool in the game. </span></td></tr>
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The only things you have in this game are your choices, attitude, and a radio. The radio is going to get you in so much trouble. The greatest part of this game is the fact that you actually have more choices than are shown on screen. You can always choose to say nothing - it is the extra choice. So, provided the game actually reacts differently to each on screen choice you make there are hundreds, nay, thousands of possible dialogue results. <br /><br />I've yet to finish the game... but it has been so fascinating, so entrancing. I want to know the story - what is happening, what is going on? There is just the right amount of creepiness and mystery to keep me interested. I'm so interested that I can't wait to play the game a second time so that I can try entirely new options and choices. There are so many.<br />
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Oh, and the story. It is complex. It involves history (or at least fictional history), teen angst (sorta), dealing with the loss of loved ones, and more.<br />
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If I had to give the game one downside it would be the slowness. There are times when the walking and climbing are a touch slow. I wish that my character ran a touch faster and climbed a bit quicker. Just so I could get to more of the story more quickly. Now I understand why sometime you are kept to a slow pace - dialogue is occurring whilst you are traveling. However this does detract from how much enjoyment I've gained from the game. <br /><br />Of all the games I recently picked up on Steam, this is by far the best. <br /><br />The music is interesting. Here, have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p00wGucbeGo">listen</a>.<br /> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaozl8JLwp8KY0u_3VsNCZAexc6FhosnZM28-d630dLqMCYkeAAm0kFLfSRSMJy5SNIZ9DQ-Aj-A2uqV7HKp4Fn20KtZYThWANS2N-1yWwfO7Zjd02YpEDBkuWm8ipx2NmFVl02FyjSOjb/s1600/oxenfree-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaozl8JLwp8KY0u_3VsNCZAexc6FhosnZM28-d630dLqMCYkeAAm0kFLfSRSMJy5SNIZ9DQ-Aj-A2uqV7HKp4Fn20KtZYThWANS2N-1yWwfO7Zjd02YpEDBkuWm8ipx2NmFVl02FyjSOjb/s640/oxenfree-photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Do these people not look at the photos they take?</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
I think I'll just keep adding to my list of <i>Game I've Bought on Steam to Review</i>.<br />
<br /><u><b>Summer 2016</b></u><br /><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/07/mini-metro-pc-game.html"><i>Mini Metro</i></a><br /><br />
<u><b>Winter 2015</b></u><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/huniepop-pc-game.html"><i>HuniePop</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-talos-principle-pc-game.html"><i>The Talos Principle</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/pillars-of-eternity-pc-game.html"><i>Pillars of Eternity</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/satellite-reign-pc-game.html"><i>Satellite Reign</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/endless-legend-pc-game.html"><i>Endless Legend</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/south-park-stick-of-truth-pc-game.html"><i>South Park: The Stick of Truth</i></a><br />
<i><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-vanishing-of-ethan-carter-redux-pc.html">The Vanishing of Ethan Carter</a><br /><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/sins-of-solar-empire-rebellion-pc-game.html">Sins of a Solar Empire Rebellion</a><br /><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-stanley-parable-pc-game.html">The Stanley Parable</a><br /><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/this-war-of-mine-pc-game.html">This War of Mine </a></i> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-24115965800986742522016-07-23T02:05:00.000-06:002016-07-23T02:10:05.251-06:00Star Trek Beyond [Movie Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic60j4nvVs3t4nM-kaePHvlWJRKNiawY-Vl0cTbtxO7B5kkDRfVYXHQB_iN22QED_36p7WfdV8cFSSrjCydoxwoNACCK9bgie-7B-h24ytX0n4-YwbyNv6tVGthkmpiO8THGwQfGhRdeu7/s1600/star-trek-beyond-poster-international.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic60j4nvVs3t4nM-kaePHvlWJRKNiawY-Vl0cTbtxO7B5kkDRfVYXHQB_iN22QED_36p7WfdV8cFSSrjCydoxwoNACCK9bgie-7B-h24ytX0n4-YwbyNv6tVGthkmpiO8THGwQfGhRdeu7/s640/star-trek-beyond-poster-international.jpeg" width="409" /></a></div>
I've been mulling over what words to start this post with... and I've finally decided.<br />
<br />
"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship
Enterprise. Her five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to
seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has
gone before."<br />
- Kirk speaking the Captain's Oath at the end of <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2013/05/star-trek-into-darkness-trekkies-review.html"><i>Star Trek into Darkness</i></a>. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrK2zCUGNibkQFtllurNMVHp0_YfL9QehtgQNsKwNQRnztUO1NJMWUjsvceqS_1ALDIi5n8lyC9jv4iqqKrMV8C41TwZpEZbnIUUBzhhd3xEPeguPbQCygj3JKHCi_n5u_udxMbhph5LU/s1600/Thatisnotgood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrK2zCUGNibkQFtllurNMVHp0_YfL9QehtgQNsKwNQRnztUO1NJMWUjsvceqS_1ALDIi5n8lyC9jv4iqqKrMV8C41TwZpEZbnIUUBzhhd3xEPeguPbQCygj3JKHCi_n5u_udxMbhph5LU/s640/Thatisnotgood.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Okay... so that's kinda bad. </span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIcfzTmrfqpwXJWvIZUS6ZTcHEKTbmVSXm_XZyW6uCjPcyA0tj9cXZ1se9fMfX9lZ8_R8pN-4-aNOuioen6xSPztEfsxe0ZUi1WBRO4wxsVmYavmkRTIUASYxtCNfG6uuqBpdzaNQ9ljD/s1600/Yorktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIcfzTmrfqpwXJWvIZUS6ZTcHEKTbmVSXm_XZyW6uCjPcyA0tj9cXZ1se9fMfX9lZ8_R8pN-4-aNOuioen6xSPztEfsxe0ZUi1WBRO4wxsVmYavmkRTIUASYxtCNfG6uuqBpdzaNQ9ljD/s400/Yorktown.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I would so live there! Why can't we build awesome cities nowadays?<br />I seriously ask this. Modern cities seem to be places of urban<br />sprawl and decay... not wonderful monuments to human achievement. </span></td></tr>
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It is the third year of the Enterprise's five year mission. Kirk is feeling lost, days are blending together, and everything has become a little too 'episodic.' <br />
<br />
It is a very good beginning to this third movie in the time-reset universe of Star Trek.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4 out of 5 stars.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLp-O6lGKZp-pTOSHr0qoGcZad68DIDLPe7T2ve-3gmU_zyVnSFp6dmh_n-tkbD2h2BuQw34JIzi27dJfocuKj7wjtWygFVsRXweNGctf7QcfRNttE7-GQ0CvfI9ZmgtV80-AiQ4LPm4-/s1600/CoolAliens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLp-O6lGKZp-pTOSHr0qoGcZad68DIDLPe7T2ve-3gmU_zyVnSFp6dmh_n-tkbD2h2BuQw34JIzi27dJfocuKj7wjtWygFVsRXweNGctf7QcfRNttE7-GQ0CvfI9ZmgtV80-AiQ4LPm4-/s400/CoolAliens.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">The new alien menace foot soldiers are very... Mass Effect.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIg-qK4LOfsIbeQ6gRzKcXj6c0HVFy1i3lugKRqlCMTbWPah86kWq2qcHZW3VCK6EHiCuBu41lGLqWleT2HjtqXexrm-ouH7DaghoUJ5sJriXiS2ef9zNfHgQr0L0rjRMbTPeL-ppxsZ8/s1600/Jaylah.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIg-qK4LOfsIbeQ6gRzKcXj6c0HVFy1i3lugKRqlCMTbWPah86kWq2qcHZW3VCK6EHiCuBu41lGLqWleT2HjtqXexrm-ouH7DaghoUJ5sJriXiS2ef9zNfHgQr0L0rjRMbTPeL-ppxsZ8/s400/Jaylah.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I kept trying to tell if her facial markings were skin tone, tattoos, or clothing.<br />I'm still not sure. </span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cZkpiwzwocW6H2qkosyKt-Ng97GFkKRoQ2UEQwWocx4YwBharjaA_9cK3WFa7GVzPDWxrUOYLDb2bMoqqy3MhE08NGay7R83jRlKy3ohvWnsgw0gGD2RJ1lX60jPnFcPdQRvw0nA9z0a/s1600/NiceUniforms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cZkpiwzwocW6H2qkosyKt-Ng97GFkKRoQ2UEQwWocx4YwBharjaA_9cK3WFa7GVzPDWxrUOYLDb2bMoqqy3MhE08NGay7R83jRlKy3ohvWnsgw0gGD2RJ1lX60jPnFcPdQRvw0nA9z0a/s400/NiceUniforms.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I am liking the new jackets. </span></td></tr>
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Did you know that my first Star Trek review (<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2013/05/star-trek-into-darkness-trekkies-review.html"><i>Star Trek into Darkness</i></a>) was reviewed before I started using a five star rating system... wow. Of course it was updated later to include a rating. Which right now seems a little bit high... like by half a star. That or I'm rating this movie half a star too low... either way. I have liked each of the new Star Trek films slightly more than the one before. <br />
<br />
Anyways back to the review... so, let me lay this out right now, right here. <br />
<br />
This has been billed as an action movie, and while it has action, this is actually more of a mystery movie. Which is unexpectedly good. Certainly, mysteries tend to work a bit better in book form or TV form (as the suspense and questions can be dribbled in at a slower pace). But this movie still does a more than passable job presenting a mystery in a Star Trek, er Fleet, uniform. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XUG3CYXVU4TEvTPYc8KecgjDxmngpzXoMYuw1rtZ4ZoNzHBkvyN3sbDPdOxpwWei4TlhqCzPJNTj6A-Sc1bs5YjRxrgGtYz5-ncm5W94rCUlC-ZkrOwc6uMgWuAGY3RoHMW7t4AOArPB/s1600/Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XUG3CYXVU4TEvTPYc8KecgjDxmngpzXoMYuw1rtZ4ZoNzHBkvyN3sbDPdOxpwWei4TlhqCzPJNTj6A-Sc1bs5YjRxrgGtYz5-ncm5W94rCUlC-ZkrOwc6uMgWuAGY3RoHMW7t4AOArPB/s400/Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Does that chair remind you of anything? It should... </span></td></tr>
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If I had to knock the film for anything it would be the rather rough opening that is mainly to blame on the CGI creatures. I know why they did it... but it was just a touch rough. Not exactly bad, but rough. And there was one moment at the end where I got a touch confused on a bit of the Technobabble. Usually I'm good at following technobabble, but this time I was distracted by the scenery porn cities... and missed a bit. It was fine, I caught up in like a second, but still...<br />
<br />
The bonus Trekkie fun in this movie are all the hails to prior Star Trek - especially <i>Star Trek Enterprise</i>. So many fun little details everywhere. Those alone make me want to see it again so that I can catch all the ones I might have missed.<br />
<br />
Oh, and the comedy. Each of the new Star Trek films have involved some level of comedy... but honestly, and I think this is Simon Pegg's writing, this has the best comedy of the three movies. I laughed a ton, the audience laughed a ton, it was a very funny movie. It successfully wove together a mystery, a comedy, and an action film. That's pretty solid. Of course some of the best comedy comes from Bones and Spock, and Scotty, but even Kirk gets in on the humor pretty solidly. Who kicks the most action ass? Why that would probably be Uhura and Jaylah (the new alien with the milk white skin with black marks). Certainly Kirk, Chekov, Spock, and the rest fire many phasers... but when it comes to using martial arts to wail on someone, well that was mostly Uhura and Jaylah. Kinda really cool. <br />
<br />
I'm hoping to see this movie at least once more in theaters. <br />
I gotta tease out more details. <br />
<br />
So there's my recommendation - go and see this movie. It is well worth the matinee price (I always say this but that is because almost no movie is worth more than matinee). <br />
<br />
Go. See it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NopRSmkRHDTwu83PMJGVaa_of8AItPLzEv6u0XRI7DtbvM1_cVywLind6Vo3NCa-fFOUMyfz_Zgzb0TjYToXhKOjhklZOV4ub9g3qSHHxibwml0w_rFaOtgqW1rjiMJycUr-cEwiusz-/s1600/Chekov-Anton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NopRSmkRHDTwu83PMJGVaa_of8AItPLzEv6u0XRI7DtbvM1_cVywLind6Vo3NCa-fFOUMyfz_Zgzb0TjYToXhKOjhklZOV4ub9g3qSHHxibwml0w_rFaOtgqW1rjiMJycUr-cEwiusz-/s640/Chekov-Anton.jpg" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">In memoriam of Anton Yelchin. I liked him as an actor, he was very good.<br />He brought a newness to Chekov that was not better nor worse than<br />Walter Koenig's, just different. It is a good take on Chekov. <br />He will be missed.<br />I also seriously hope that they treat his death respectfully and do not<br />bring Chekov back for Star Trek 4. <br /><b>UPDATE:</b> I have just learned that Chekov will not be recast in Star Trek 4.<br /><a href="http://www.wired.co.uk/article/star-trek-producer-jj-abrams-wont-replace-late-actor-anton-yelchin">Link.</a></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-65288715995625939082016-07-13T03:30:00.000-06:002016-07-13T03:30:08.376-06:00Warcraft [Movie Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCc5tRV3OhSgnFSpfvPD_5ZAyoZxmDGMnTrzWD1btVGOMwyU6bft274FYS5heKMDI_XTtxYF0KM_ozIibcAOfHX-je9NNo693b7YgP4xxlOa1n5Ch7zNmFJLSeAyYg1YO9YyYwXtbdZmI/s1600/TitleWar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCc5tRV3OhSgnFSpfvPD_5ZAyoZxmDGMnTrzWD1btVGOMwyU6bft274FYS5heKMDI_XTtxYF0KM_ozIibcAOfHX-je9NNo693b7YgP4xxlOa1n5Ch7zNmFJLSeAyYg1YO9YyYwXtbdZmI/s640/TitleWar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Discount movie day! <br />Sure I've seen <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/03/zootopia-movie-review.html"><i>Zootopia</i></a> a few more times at the dollar theater... but today I went to see a movie I had yet to see. I wasn't certain it was going to be worth matinee price at the normal run theaters... but I did pay for 3D at the discount theater.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3ByYLr-R0QOHnrtMl3K-66QSgROFD9pYv4AFT7DprT_bHXU1aqecvDF7FtOPsbXOZBeGPvnLTAphdCP4eRpnNCkOmLNlrXoNJZQNP_-y1sEyjQp2DOW1CZIBz1u0CDs_B1NklqMVgMCO/s1600/Stormwind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3ByYLr-R0QOHnrtMl3K-66QSgROFD9pYv4AFT7DprT_bHXU1aqecvDF7FtOPsbXOZBeGPvnLTAphdCP4eRpnNCkOmLNlrXoNJZQNP_-y1sEyjQp2DOW1CZIBz1u0CDs_B1NklqMVgMCO/s640/Stormwind.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Stormwind, only one of several tasty bits of <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SceneryPorn">Scenery Porn</a>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6uhCnKZbC-kkj1aKil9VNmzWpZOvuDQkkMuUTCBxiJOQ_jacXyc2kcRv4tR_KsTeo-lIij7XCT-7GfxAomflJFzR-ERuoTTKBQqT0lw3cma2Xjs5uxf7A6Gi8wxicrLtJdfA_xC-bwvv/s1600/Durotan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6uhCnKZbC-kkj1aKil9VNmzWpZOvuDQkkMuUTCBxiJOQ_jacXyc2kcRv4tR_KsTeo-lIij7XCT-7GfxAomflJFzR-ERuoTTKBQqT0lw3cma2Xjs5uxf7A6Gi8wxicrLtJdfA_xC-bwvv/s400/Durotan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">The protagonist Orc Duroflame, or Durotan... something. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />You may be asking, "Why would you do that?" Well, it was very hot today and I wanted to go someplace where I could be cold, and the only convenient time was a 3D showing. So I bit the bullet and saw this movie in 3D.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLTpzZ_6t3nqUATcA8yVAh0H-tqmZW59wEtya6zVAsIvEeCp3p3CDtUyjYRgHRPnVhcHQSt3PyuG7iRgtMQ50BDqj9w9FvIXBrCTqGZnR42OTzyt286teKtBuCtNrOnw15w-gobrA2ZPS/s1600/Three+n+Half-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLTpzZ_6t3nqUATcA8yVAh0H-tqmZW59wEtya6zVAsIvEeCp3p3CDtUyjYRgHRPnVhcHQSt3PyuG7iRgtMQ50BDqj9w9FvIXBrCTqGZnR42OTzyt286teKtBuCtNrOnw15w-gobrA2ZPS/s1600/Three+n+Half-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">3.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHIDy3X_iVloAtU9HVIvesQW-swa-_aLBbx4t8CnsXqz1EJwsgbtVxjPfkur-kjd3-cnD5OtAcR4Ock2ffWjgh8I0Zay7TYYh-_Exqwy7Swi0n7ISEEyNjQuu_gW8j6drsOdzRfsxeJ2X/s1600/warcraft_lothar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHIDy3X_iVloAtU9HVIvesQW-swa-_aLBbx4t8CnsXqz1EJwsgbtVxjPfkur-kjd3-cnD5OtAcR4Ock2ffWjgh8I0Zay7TYYh-_Exqwy7Swi0n7ISEEyNjQuu_gW8j6drsOdzRfsxeJ2X/s400/warcraft_lothar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">One of our protagonist humans, <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lothal_system">Lothal</a> or Lothar... something.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7rs88fvRcam-IQ1Q_nHLCyt34lItPuruphwpdx18MlYIWdo7ssa4h2Fh1j4ZjrQk23yzaiyisrBxAs2pgKSwkVrwg_G2ZS3IKKFfiV9czt0pj-r4fWaX0GvbvOE_XMWi942jJO2pFdYK/s1600/King_Llane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7rs88fvRcam-IQ1Q_nHLCyt34lItPuruphwpdx18MlYIWdo7ssa4h2Fh1j4ZjrQk23yzaiyisrBxAs2pgKSwkVrwg_G2ZS3IKKFfiV9czt0pj-r4fWaX0GvbvOE_XMWi942jJO2pFdYK/s400/King_Llane.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This is King Lane played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1002641/">Dominic Cooper</a>, he plays Jessie in Preacher. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I still hate 3D. I do not think it added one damn thing to this movie, in fact it may have taken a little bit from it. OK, I will take that back, the magic effects were pretty darn cool in 3D. But aside from the magic castings, 3D adds nothing to the film. 3D sucks, we do not need gimmicks in our movies, we just need good stories and good acting. If I'm going to over pay for a movie, I'm going to one of those theaters with the leather recliners or sit in the silly D-Box seats so that I can get my soda shaken all over me. (Tip: If you like D-Box... just sit near them. Trust me they will bounce you around with you paying for the silly chairs.)<br />
<br />
Sadly, this movie does make a few mistakes in this regard. There are times when the acting is just... bad. Some of the lines are delivered so woodenly I'd have sworn Keanu Reeves and his <a href="http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/familyguy/images/a/a7/Keaunu_Reeves.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090805130237">woodpecker</a> were on set. The worst part? Most of the terrible acting scenes are between the human characters. The Orcs sell their scenes. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0Z0VS08FV9s73zIXstgKFPVBrEpubsj1wxs-kAP09g_4tXrEwz8xqCj5OsZ2XdDhSEEbZDb2-dekXRDUPXxswi62A2IUf9Dn2MWPVgG3xBRUF57kJouOcT5xSl-CZgh2w1I1UjXKA72t/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0Z0VS08FV9s73zIXstgKFPVBrEpubsj1wxs-kAP09g_4tXrEwz8xqCj5OsZ2XdDhSEEbZDb2-dekXRDUPXxswi62A2IUf9Dn2MWPVgG3xBRUF57kJouOcT5xSl-CZgh2w1I1UjXKA72t/s400/Wolf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">What happened to you, Jon Snow?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />As for the story. Yes. It was accessible to someone who has not touched a Warcraft game since <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warcraft_III:_Reign_of_Chaos">Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos</a>. However there are some details thrown in that are probably meant for the hardcore fans. I certainly did not get a lot of the details. This did not completely hinder the story, but there are times when I was watching the <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SceneryPorn">Scenery Porn</a> go by, that I wondered if there was something I should know about show city, or organization, or mystical place. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1fKJYz3YQ1ton4Ops0lA05pNOApjfLQsm2ylWLUbFO0Jhm4Sph2QV21xkZ5UZ7S2jiU6MjYj93XMuMz1A7wJVCDXKQUMSkgfzgOLpVWtgjhMN_aH-zNTVSvyubqkh5kVYlBpyJWaiXAL/s1600/Footsoldier.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1fKJYz3YQ1ton4Ops0lA05pNOApjfLQsm2ylWLUbFO0Jhm4Sph2QV21xkZ5UZ7S2jiU6MjYj93XMuMz1A7wJVCDXKQUMSkgfzgOLpVWtgjhMN_aH-zNTVSvyubqkh5kVYlBpyJWaiXAL/s400/Footsoldier.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">See? Really plastic!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think aside from the sometimes bad acting, and the times when I was wondering if there was some MMO tidbit I was missing, there were only two other sticking points. First was the attempt to force a romance into the movie, that thankfully never came about. It did involve one of the funnier bits of dialogue in the entire film though... so not all bad. But really, not every movie needs a romance. Sure they work in lots of films, and they can be very good (or very bad...) but we don't always need them. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFx5uNoMXogD_fBzsg2kLKQTkvEP8-kVvx7isII8H0fevkiSicZdGqn_726J-1Z_m4GDqRNeQJN2WHvzMXDBGX7c6CgTy8zJqa0m7GiXyuesUrB6SFs6HZxsgfMdrGPHgzLn9-GUcwuPa/s1600/Tim.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFx5uNoMXogD_fBzsg2kLKQTkvEP8-kVvx7isII8H0fevkiSicZdGqn_726J-1Z_m4GDqRNeQJN2WHvzMXDBGX7c6CgTy8zJqa0m7GiXyuesUrB6SFs6HZxsgfMdrGPHgzLn9-GUcwuPa/s400/Tim.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/yTKdHbiLim0">There are some who call me... Tim.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />The last thing is the plastic looking human armor. The Orc armor is perfectly fine. It looks sorta metallic / stone with furs and leather and bone - perfectly crommulent Orc armor. But the human armor jsut looked so fake. I have a feeling it was meant to really approximate the video game armor, but at least try and make it look like metal. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0uyVxGywRGV9Djw60CcX-6g5elz7VY6E6h75DOcrRtg3UNa-ZNqZ76sIgJEMjw8FC69amLwzbBHCgZGHGaRxJ3GhWjCm5KzUyIpTER8UJBOwsJSuFawWlI5dxpGzGw4GH7XLvXS7Pdav/s1600/Orcs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0uyVxGywRGV9Djw60CcX-6g5elz7VY6E6h75DOcrRtg3UNa-ZNqZ76sIgJEMjw8FC69amLwzbBHCgZGHGaRxJ3GhWjCm5KzUyIpTER8UJBOwsJSuFawWlI5dxpGzGw4GH7XLvXS7Pdav/s400/Orcs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Now this looks like the video games... those are certainly Orc buildings.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Can you believe WETA workshop created that armor? Yeah the people who did <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/03/chappie-movie-review.html"><i>CHAPPiE</i></a> and the armor in <i>Lord of the Rings</i> and <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-hobbit-desolation-of-smaug-movie.html"><i>The Hobbit</i></a> (going back to my <i>Hobbit</i> reviews... I really feel like I over rated those movies, especially the <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-hobbit-battle-of-five-armies-movie.html"><i>Battle of Five Armies</i></a>.) made this plastic toy armor. Blows my mind. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpbqgEZfzvw_v8dDgSGglx_0RyvOfQIDJEQis1BwM4hipUBZXEM7vkfTKUiWcF1uZxQI8THcJr5ZOls2P0D_HACfCqqm2zTl1cVk15bRSfq7j0QDpoTd3OaMhRLs4PpcB3Hx3XqQOqmYS/s1600/Allaince.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpbqgEZfzvw_v8dDgSGglx_0RyvOfQIDJEQis1BwM4hipUBZXEM7vkfTKUiWcF1uZxQI8THcJr5ZOls2P0D_HACfCqqm2zTl1cVk15bRSfq7j0QDpoTd3OaMhRLs4PpcB3Hx3XqQOqmYS/s400/Allaince.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">There was a High Elf in this scene with an impressive shelf.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now for the good stuff. <br />
<br />
There was a story. In fact the story was not half bad. It was better than the story in <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/06/independence-day-resurgence-movie-review.html">IDR</a>. It was not complex, which is neither good nor bad. The 'twists' were perfectly trope-ish. I'm not even going to hold their predictability against the film, they were absolutely neither good nor bad. They just were. <br /><br />You may be asking, how is this a good thing? It is good because it actually had a story. It followed the classic story 'W.' Rising action, set backs, plot... nothing special, but they were there. I actually worried that this movie might not have one.<br />
<br />
Now the thing that truly looked awesome, aside from the Scenery Porn, was the magic effects. This movie actually had better magic effects than any live-action fantasy movie I've seen. The magic stole the movie. All of it. The rings of power, the inscribed runes, the pool of power - it was very very well done. Sure that is simply CGI effects, but oddly even the acting in these scenes seemed better. Like the actors were actually able to imagine what they were doing. Then again this was a high magic world... which is nice to see. This is really fantastic fantasy world with all the Griffons, Orcs, and Magic you could want. Here's a short featurette on <a href="https://youtu.be/DMWDtodvDds">Warcraft Magic</a>... the good stuff gets going at about the 1:20 mark. <br />
<br />
You know, in the end... I think it was worth the discount theater viewing. I kinda wished I'd seen it in normal vision and not 3D, but oh well. I'm hoping to catch Tarzan at the discount theater since I'm afraid it is not going to last long in the regular run theaters. <br /><br />Oh, and I'm rather certain that a sequel will be made. It is set up for a sequel. <br /><br />And the movies subtitle is "The Beginning." That's kinda on the nose, would you not say? <br /><br />Now sure the domestic box office was a bust... only $46m on a $160m movie. But does that matter when the worldwide box office total was $383m? It made $220m in China alone. If I was Legendary pictures and Blizzard, I'd make the movie just for the Chinese box office totals. <br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwapk_rtfMyFwLlYj9DNeoKS3mbqQEzs1mGIIe4Yi50_Q2kzYM543jAvTkjmtGZ9vHhvZMUGMs_y0-a2fsOOSSgoh8d8FC9-8GEdBfl5c9PHD7c-6aT2q4u8Wr2VWo5Lt_vpWwW1RAAms/s1600/WETA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwapk_rtfMyFwLlYj9DNeoKS3mbqQEzs1mGIIe4Yi50_Q2kzYM543jAvTkjmtGZ9vHhvZMUGMs_y0-a2fsOOSSgoh8d8FC9-8GEdBfl5c9PHD7c-6aT2q4u8Wr2VWo5Lt_vpWwW1RAAms/s640/WETA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Really WETA? Plastic?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-51852600242266824272016-07-07T00:35:00.000-06:002016-07-24T23:43:24.682-06:00Mini Metro [PC Game] <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM9IvzPp2bGGitkPFbZcKU3DIrfLq03EexsZ8Ih-4R9A0bdj4ekjNBVjmwbwqtT3GP2mMcjHsZSrEbsr4o_pHWBO8ANvFV2JJ1mtk0DlmyrQno9RSQj4bllq0JlcGFgTDMjCQgquOqN7f/s1600/MM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM9IvzPp2bGGitkPFbZcKU3DIrfLq03EexsZ8Ih-4R9A0bdj4ekjNBVjmwbwqtT3GP2mMcjHsZSrEbsr4o_pHWBO8ANvFV2JJ1mtk0DlmyrQno9RSQj4bllq0JlcGFgTDMjCQgquOqN7f/s640/MM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The Steam Summer Sale has ended. <br />
I was more restrained this time than I was in their Winter Sale.<br />
I only nabbed four games, less than half of what I got last time.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfV2PWcHLlj4GXaCmI0yADL5QU1M42mRmHzTdV_wEMsUUm3BKBykMQdPe7otBMwiWpvPmy3ddYBGIoOi4ksOUdMMcW_dv00MQNmsEGDW8clDRps0_OWZmuhZVU-vAn_24zl5vyulQisb08/s1600/Mini+Metro+-+cities.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfV2PWcHLlj4GXaCmI0yADL5QU1M42mRmHzTdV_wEMsUUm3BKBykMQdPe7otBMwiWpvPmy3ddYBGIoOi4ksOUdMMcW_dv00MQNmsEGDW8clDRps0_OWZmuhZVU-vAn_24zl5vyulQisb08/s400/Mini+Metro+-+cities.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">There are a lot of cities in which to create your subways.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The advantage being that all of the games I nabbed this time, I've liked a lot more than some of the ones I bought last time. No returns this time.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCDSoNjWLg3Kd9TvZhBplsSqF_QqMTytioEiGySAtPnDYeNFHv_5aOr2VSJ69sojgO9mGOzEC2O2n9dx-Kxe5US3WPEJfP5AmnJ4_AsoPxtxttBWwNnmSdLpVcxKPlOXb43n1NY0DiRtw/s1600/mini-metro-Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCDSoNjWLg3Kd9TvZhBplsSqF_QqMTytioEiGySAtPnDYeNFHv_5aOr2VSJ69sojgO9mGOzEC2O2n9dx-Kxe5US3WPEJfP5AmnJ4_AsoPxtxttBWwNnmSdLpVcxKPlOXb43n1NY0DiRtw/s400/mini-metro-Berlin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Berlin is very tough. Not enough tunnels to cross the river. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now I'm going to review the new games in no particular order. <br />
<br />
The first game up for review is Mini Metro. <br />
<br />
This game is crazy addictive. I've sat down and just lost time on this game. Every time I lose a game (and that is all you will do) I start a new one. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV4r8h4b8T630w4OA1E8vX7_3y_y-R5Pf38mn2Ql-AJkDEEgFmwfCZ2JyZrVgXmCvifmJcBjqXBTxzFWh8MdLs9NVvbnD96zhBA_QAQiuWIQSOFnWGFPF2HGijm2Ra31yaFhqhBXqdlcU/s1600/mini-metro-Hongkong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV4r8h4b8T630w4OA1E8vX7_3y_y-R5Pf38mn2Ql-AJkDEEgFmwfCZ2JyZrVgXmCvifmJcBjqXBTxzFWh8MdLs9NVvbnD96zhBA_QAQiuWIQSOFnWGFPF2HGijm2Ra31yaFhqhBXqdlcU/s400/mini-metro-Hongkong.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Hong Kong is also crazy tough, because it will explode.<br />Not 'boom' explode, but 'passenger overload' explode.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is stupid simple but incredibly challenging. Essentially you are creating subways between stops. The stops have shapes like<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <span style="color: lime;">O</span></b></span> or<b> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><b class="None headword" lang="mul">Δ</b></span></span> </b>and you have to delivery passengers of the same letter style to those stops. So <b class="None headword" lang="mul"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;">Δ</span></span> </b><span class="None headword">passengers need to arrive at</span><span style="font-size: large;"><b class="None headword" lang="mul"> </b></span><b class="None headword" lang="mul"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;">Δ</span></span> </b><span class="None headword">stops. Some stops </span>are very rare like <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><b>◇</b></span></span> while others like<span style="color: lime;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>O</b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>are very very common. This can cause crowding, and crowding causes angry passengers, and angry passengers are why you fail... er... lose. <br />
<br />
Every month you get new upgrades like additional engines, carriages, tunnels, new lines, and improved stations. Unique cities give different upgrades. In Hong Kong you get 2 engines every month while Osaka has Shinkansen. <br />
<br />
There are also daily challenges if you want to see how badly you fare against the rest of the world. <br />
<br />
I first saw this game on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ExtraCreditz">Extra Credits</a> (of course). It was yet another of their little <a href="https://youtu.be/qUFumkkRadI?t=401">Game You May Not Have Tried</a> videos... which for me are almost like shopping lists. The creators of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ExtraCreditz">Extra Credits</a> know games.<br />
<br />
Mini Metro is a fantastic puzzle game. I recommend this game, sale or no sale. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Get used to this screen. You will always tell yourself, "I could have done better."</span></td></tr>
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<br />
I think I'll just keep adding to my list of <i>Game I've Bought on Steam to Review</i>.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Winter 2015</b></u><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/huniepop-pc-game.html"><i>HuniePop</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-talos-principle-pc-game.html"><i>The Talos Principle</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/pillars-of-eternity-pc-game.html"><i>Pillars of Eternity</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/satellite-reign-pc-game.html"><i>Satellite Reign</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/endless-legend-pc-game.html"><i>Endless Legend</i></a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/south-park-stick-of-truth-pc-game.html"><i>South Park: The Stick of Truth</i></a><br />
<i><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-vanishing-of-ethan-carter-redux-pc.html">The Vanishing of Ethan Carter</a><br /><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/sins-of-solar-empire-rebellion-pc-game.html">Sins of a Solar Empire Rebellion</a><br /><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-stanley-parable-pc-game.html">The Stanley Parable</a><br /><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/01/this-war-of-mine-pc-game.html">This War of Mine </a></i> <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-62547006418172331832016-06-28T23:50:00.000-06:002016-06-28T23:50:05.340-06:00Rifftrax Live: MST3K Reunion Show [Fathom Event Review] <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNQtKrAecvIbmuhoa3Y0OAx5Yf57EZtJqJuSwjLfbs5Dz3NKYhO8b-KS80MLlOsKJ6Bouf7kTpaqskdXDRaQDW7MFp6h2-gf0LkPxovEU_6bFQVrPOIxZoEcjSraFLUQv6Vny5afWqSuy/s1600/MST3KTitle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNQtKrAecvIbmuhoa3Y0OAx5Yf57EZtJqJuSwjLfbs5Dz3NKYhO8b-KS80MLlOsKJ6Bouf7kTpaqskdXDRaQDW7MFp6h2-gf0LkPxovEU_6bFQVrPOIxZoEcjSraFLUQv6Vny5afWqSuy/s640/MST3KTitle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The year was 1988. The place was a Minnesotan public access channel known as KTMA. <br /> From these humble beginnings would come an American Comedy Icon - <i>Mystery Science Theater 3000</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPYFD_vYKXENemJfCLWGI3mDqfACjB3LDaECich_LMHSwx6ha3H-gMfega-ULYJf_0OHrnQSMzkYK-sS1RJdpGpdbe_ErRzIWYExaf-LJj3Zel7tMNbSaXb0gR6YsFG6QQQppx_JXxkDP/s1600/CAST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPYFD_vYKXENemJfCLWGI3mDqfACjB3LDaECich_LMHSwx6ha3H-gMfega-ULYJf_0OHrnQSMzkYK-sS1RJdpGpdbe_ErRzIWYExaf-LJj3Zel7tMNbSaXb0gR6YsFG6QQQppx_JXxkDP/s640/CAST.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Mike J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett, Joel Hodgson, Frank Conniff, Trace Beaulieu, Mary Jo Pehl, Bridget Jones Nelson, and new comer Jonah Ray. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsUaoHuNQWFeqJPW3p1aM8X1WwPD9pPKN4l9K0u0aKs-pYPOJII0h4Rbs5nOD4SS2VWT_d7TgN2hFVA9P-dvoOyzrcvlD9qpT2ZPMNA4ypxcMWVhkwuRHDtD0D6wUVzGNLGAuvIZaQzg3/s1600/TAlkingCar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsUaoHuNQWFeqJPW3p1aM8X1WwPD9pPKN4l9K0u0aKs-pYPOJII0h4Rbs5nOD4SS2VWT_d7TgN2hFVA9P-dvoOyzrcvlD9qpT2ZPMNA4ypxcMWVhkwuRHDtD0D6wUVzGNLGAuvIZaQzg3/s400/TAlkingCar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">The first short - "The Talking Car"<br />There was more than 1 talking car in this 1960s nightmare inducing short.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Sure it has been done before... but is it still<br />very funny. Some jokes were new<br />some old, or just revised.</span></td></tr>
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MST3K would last for a total of 11 seasons (counting the KTMA years). If began on the Comedy Channel/Comedy Central and lasted there until 1997. The Sci-Fi Channel then picked them up through 1999. The show would produce 197 episodes and a feature length film. <br /><br />Between 1999 and 2006 the cast and crew of MST3K would work on various other projects such as The Film Crew and Cinematic Titanic. <br /><br />In 2006 Mike, Bill, and Kevin came together to form Rifftrax where they would no longer simply tackle old bad movies... now they would riff on popular blockbusters and more. <br /><br />And now, after being off the air for more than 16 years, MST3K is returning with a season of 14 brand new episodes. Jonah Ray, Felicia Day, and Patton Oswalt will star.<br />
<br />
But tonight. <br />Tonight was the MST3K Reunion Show. Crowd funding has really been a boon for Rifftrax and MST3K. This is the 20th Live Show Rifftrax has done, and I've been to most. Tonight was also the 10 year anniversary of Rifftrax.<br />
<br />
Tonight's show brought back all the old crew; Trace, Joel, and Frank. <br />It brought back Mary Jo Pehl and Mike's wife Bridget. <br />It was hosted by the Rifftrax crew; Mike, Bill, and Kevin. <br />And the Noob; Jonah Ray. <br /><br />They riffed: <br /><i>- The Talking Car</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdw1vk3ZxaSfsau58N4WV7q3IgeG1F0KKyyoD4bDtvii-E5woLRn_XjLgfSyxIHv-q4YlG7PGpcQhRXEvqfz_OsbnYNN2pUr0sgSkk6ihFms1WfkbU_hx4MFjtlfWVSJn3gj8YLSPFSj9/s1600/Grasses.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdw1vk3ZxaSfsau58N4WV7q3IgeG1F0KKyyoD4bDtvii-E5woLRn_XjLgfSyxIHv-q4YlG7PGpcQhRXEvqfz_OsbnYNN2pUr0sgSkk6ihFms1WfkbU_hx4MFjtlfWVSJn3gj8YLSPFSj9/s400/Grasses.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Fairly certain that joke appears in both the original riff and today's.</span></td></tr>
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<i>- A Word to the Wives<br />- More Dates for Kay<br />- Americans at Work (Barbers)<br />- Shake Hands with Danger <br />- At Your Finger Tips: Grasses<br />- Stamp Day for Superman</i><br /><br />I hope I didn't miss any... <br />And there was a 10th anniversary snippet reel of Rifftrax which was quite funny too... <br /><br />Oh yeah... my star rating. Well, since I laughed myself silly I think there is only choice here. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5nDO3__GR2lUuUNrVBD9x-PATAiMrXUI5a0qWBAKPQldUPb02YFQNa14r6wuRyO2pleBrdY9YR7ati8DJYKMtBG86iWvk3VWcFH9cZTbHWw_Qt5rNqkxPUCymWlk3OGZ6Np6sU286L9A/s1600/Five-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5nDO3__GR2lUuUNrVBD9x-PATAiMrXUI5a0qWBAKPQldUPb02YFQNa14r6wuRyO2pleBrdY9YR7ati8DJYKMtBG86iWvk3VWcFH9cZTbHWw_Qt5rNqkxPUCymWlk3OGZ6Np6sU286L9A/s1600/Five-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">5 out of 5 stars<br />Crazy huh? <br />Two 5 star ratings in two days.</span></td></tr>
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I'm not sure I stopped laughing. <br />It was absolutely great. <br /><br />Each group got to do a video and there were combo groups and then at the end the entire collected reunion came together for some serious riffing. <br /><br />The stars of the show were <i>More Dates for Kay</i> (wow was that a terrifying film from the 1950s) and At Your Fingertips: Grasses - which while it is one they've done before, it is such a maddening little piece of crap Americana it deserves every riffing it gets. <br /><br />And of course, you will never get the <i>Shake Hands with Danger</i> theme song out of your head. <br />It is incessant. <br /><br />If you missed the show tonight, I really suggest you see it when the encore show broadcasts on July 12th. It is well worth it. You will laugh yourself silly. Check you local theater if they host Fatham Events. <br /><br />And remember <a href="http://billcorbett.tumblr.com/post/28450247475/yes">cornisgrass</a>.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE35KRLX4_pt42BJO4jRub_As8dyMWc_A0hcEAgkTRYPfNwcGgV6Fj0oRG-hqbhpmXiKI0ixHnvPLQlA7LCZ-BLDRwiyxj9rp-0_2rBTEpu4HT9-c2yKwbAcsSdW63NDufIxPsWsCXLXCE/s1600/rifftrax_mst3k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE35KRLX4_pt42BJO4jRub_As8dyMWc_A0hcEAgkTRYPfNwcGgV6Fj0oRG-hqbhpmXiKI0ixHnvPLQlA7LCZ-BLDRwiyxj9rp-0_2rBTEpu4HT9-c2yKwbAcsSdW63NDufIxPsWsCXLXCE/s640/rifftrax_mst3k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I cannot wait for the new season! </span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-70800209299450044062016-06-27T04:02:00.000-06:002016-06-27T04:02:10.983-06:00Game of Throne "The Winds of Winter" (S6 - E10) [TV Review] <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I didn't know what to expect from the finale of season six. In general the best episode in a season is actually the penultimate episode. In both seasons four and five the penultimate episode was the stronger episode.<br />Not this time. Oh, the Battle of the Bastards was quite good... but...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Ser Loras Tyrell, broken before the High Sparrow. He does not even defend himself at his 'trial.'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Cersei spends the episode slowly dressing more and more like<br />a super villain. It looks nice, but it telegraphs. </span></td></tr>
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You remember the little list of characters I want to see die? Today was glorious! So many names taken off the list that I'm going to need to populate it with some more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5nDO3__GR2lUuUNrVBD9x-PATAiMrXUI5a0qWBAKPQldUPb02YFQNa14r6wuRyO2pleBrdY9YR7ati8DJYKMtBG86iWvk3VWcFH9cZTbHWw_Qt5rNqkxPUCymWlk3OGZ6Np6sU286L9A/s1600/Five-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5nDO3__GR2lUuUNrVBD9x-PATAiMrXUI5a0qWBAKPQldUPb02YFQNa14r6wuRyO2pleBrdY9YR7ati8DJYKMtBG86iWvk3VWcFH9cZTbHWw_Qt5rNqkxPUCymWlk3OGZ6Np6sU286L9A/s1600/Five-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">5 out of 5 stars.<br />It made me very happy!</span></td></tr>
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I'm not even sure where to begin I'm so happy.<br /><br />So what if I just do this by location? Yeah that will work out best.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGX1FuAkHdZqscjcTnOco24vzkXk-p-iGYqQpLY8YTNt_TXyAPRk7oZo3MYO_A88MAMqdPYzvHu42ySXEWB7y2dfJlac2-QQo_JzqNRqSwfpyFXT-Vef0RhONzNVD_fuVNHVHaaku9dKH/s1600/Lannister+and+Frey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGX1FuAkHdZqscjcTnOco24vzkXk-p-iGYqQpLY8YTNt_TXyAPRk7oZo3MYO_A88MAMqdPYzvHu42ySXEWB7y2dfJlac2-QQo_JzqNRqSwfpyFXT-Vef0RhONzNVD_fuVNHVHaaku9dKH/s400/Lannister+and+Frey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Jamie disrespects Lord Walder Frey verbally. Yes! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxd7poUF13EwZs-CG1F0-qQTSj8w-m06JTA-2X-dEc0m0cjXfzuhfthqT3MhHTH2ca2zPGKN0io6ON6ptuaZrpKf71t56tqjxPxCyLsyVds8Dt0ArX1atZj7eY3jBTQBrjGbU274oqvi54/s1600/Jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxd7poUF13EwZs-CG1F0-qQTSj8w-m06JTA-2X-dEc0m0cjXfzuhfthqT3MhHTH2ca2zPGKN0io6ON6ptuaZrpKf71t56tqjxPxCyLsyVds8Dt0ArX1atZj7eY3jBTQBrjGbU274oqvi54/s400/Jump.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">When I saw the open window and the smoke, I began to chant 'Jump.'<br />I've never pushed a TV character over the edge before... </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAp9rH06lBVyrLukHgUQXBoUTHcQmBbjD4fOTDbbWigHlJo3-sWeYf8Uwufi1g922JJBxPjt3mqBMS7JfZ_JZ325UJoLU153NWIxau8FawBl_2IktAmrpBRTbyom6xmdNAiZsJALW4dQP/s1600/Advice.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAp9rH06lBVyrLukHgUQXBoUTHcQmBbjD4fOTDbbWigHlJo3-sWeYf8Uwufi1g922JJBxPjt3mqBMS7JfZ_JZ325UJoLU153NWIxau8FawBl_2IktAmrpBRTbyom6xmdNAiZsJALW4dQP/s400/Advice.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">There is a theory (that I give no credence to) that the actual <br />villain of the series is going to be Daenerys. I do not see this. </span></td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmB1oUn-loHipUnWfqVBvjR-sWWS8jDwR1vAwcIGdi_4uZJQXQbyY57v5Pp_ghiGM4hHsYXSxygg5Kg_4jiZHcSzYppSHA0SJD7af05mxgPWU2J29zUKCnhkCLuujqFB0fhhT-F9RuC1g/s1600/HappySam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmB1oUn-loHipUnWfqVBvjR-sWWS8jDwR1vAwcIGdi_4uZJQXQbyY57v5Pp_ghiGM4hHsYXSxygg5Kg_4jiZHcSzYppSHA0SJD7af05mxgPWU2J29zUKCnhkCLuujqFB0fhhT-F9RuC1g/s400/HappySam.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Sam at his happiest. Sure he's had sex will Gilly, and loves her, and she's<br />become really hot, but these are books. ALL of the Books!</span></td></tr>
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Oh.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><b>SPOILER WARNING! </b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbSvvxxEN1YyH3tHUYpE63pOb5X0ApkV_HQ2tbEpWcqYerpnFqtQQPvGyf4Wt2NK-zRPuu2SO0nTOE0FkulBXGIn7yeP0wAzaUFNf1XxE_uLaV2zt2ew_93hRKpkM92q3RsiQlWlQpe80/s1600/Kinginthenorth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbSvvxxEN1YyH3tHUYpE63pOb5X0ApkV_HQ2tbEpWcqYerpnFqtQQPvGyf4Wt2NK-zRPuu2SO0nTOE0FkulBXGIn7yeP0wAzaUFNf1XxE_uLaV2zt2ew_93hRKpkM92q3RsiQlWlQpe80/s400/Kinginthenorth2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">So how much influence did Sansa wield to ensure this outcome? <br />I'm fairly certain that she was behind this new King in the North.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnLwKIh0EcBv2LdYla2aw9eMZJYN7Ajsz8bzXfr-ybIZ4l7niHKGO116ApS4rKULEXaYEKT99QPcvgv0qV7JjIUYWSHC6kb6_RlbavdY5SBARlF2piWr8EqKRWENCklxfQUsDWSIUwz6C/s1600/A+FEast+of+FAmily.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnLwKIh0EcBv2LdYla2aw9eMZJYN7Ajsz8bzXfr-ybIZ4l7niHKGO116ApS4rKULEXaYEKT99QPcvgv0qV7JjIUYWSHC6kb6_RlbavdY5SBARlF2piWr8EqKRWENCklxfQUsDWSIUwz6C/s400/A+FEast+of+FAmily.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">A Feast of Family.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Why are your reading any reviews if you have not watched the episode yourself? Seriously? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaiX2fySdWrVW9XhxfjsXW_MJl-PVYxF1GaFnNNv5GFYjddsX84BUikDZm5HMrbXxM182SLoFBvyjSWEKoLQXpRJgekg_e_WW8a3c5iykHjV0-q-ZY4G-gYFAh8rq33GpioeJagMnguGR/s1600/Jons+Birth.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaiX2fySdWrVW9XhxfjsXW_MJl-PVYxF1GaFnNNv5GFYjddsX84BUikDZm5HMrbXxM182SLoFBvyjSWEKoLQXpRJgekg_e_WW8a3c5iykHjV0-q-ZY4G-gYFAh8rq33GpioeJagMnguGR/s400/Jons+Birth.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Well, this scene finally confirmed all of the R+L=J theories.<br />But sadly that actually made it less impressive. We already knew.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDWTfHnK8OudUiHNCfJXohXFHDKKFbxYQgx1MiXs8EYETiT2FjhL3EBn_AcW9v73Lvkz7S4rW6AQMLo4Pi5jbnQEN7yeeJo3q4ey_fuxv5auM8Xm-HnDnhvcSUMtTbzC_Uoi2GrB7920T/s1600/OnaBoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDWTfHnK8OudUiHNCfJXohXFHDKKFbxYQgx1MiXs8EYETiT2FjhL3EBn_AcW9v73Lvkz7S4rW6AQMLo4Pi5jbnQEN7yeeJo3q4ey_fuxv5auM8Xm-HnDnhvcSUMtTbzC_Uoi2GrB7920T/s400/OnaBoat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I'm on a Mother-of-F*cking-Dragons Boat! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><b>SPOILER WARNING!</b></span></span> <br />
<br />
Ok. Lets begin in King's Landing.<br />
The 'trial' of Loras Tyrel is about to begin and the whole sept is filled save for Cersei and Tommen. Tommen is stopped from going by The Mountain Who Guards (they actually even just call him Ser Gregor) in the episode. <br /><br />Meanwhile Grand Maester Pycelle has just finished having fun with a whore when he is summoned by a small child. One of the Spider's birds (who if we remember are working for Qyburn) stops the Grand Maester. <br />
<br />Loras renounces his name, his title, everything in penance. He vows to serve the Seven. For the show that is more or less the death of House Tyrell... well it would have been... <br /><br />Cersei never shows up at the Sept and the High Sparrow sends Lancel to fetch her. Outside the sept, Lancel notices a small child snooping about and follows him. <br /><br />Are you ready for it? Because we are about to see a shit tonne of death real fast. <br /><br />First Grand Maester Pycelle is murdered by a large number of Qyburns little birds (creepy children with knives). They stab him over and over again... and the whole scene is just down right creepy because honestly - young children are creepy sadistic little monsters in real life - and they are doubly so in a blood filled TV show. Death One.<br /><br />Lancel follows the child down winding tiny paths... until he enters a long corridor filled with casks. Lots and lots of casks... that have a slight green glow. The child darts out of the dark and stabs him in the kidney / spine / back. Lancel notices a small glow at the far end of the corridor. <br /><br />In the Sept Margaery Tyrell begins to get nervous as Cersei has yet to arrive. She knows that this is wrong, she knows that everyone needs to leave. However the High Sparrow in all his exposed arrogance refuses to let anyone leave until both trials are over. (I oft find those who profess to humble themselves so deeply are actually the most arrogant of people.) <br /><br />Lancel reaches the glow at the end of the corridor... it is a candle in a pool of wildfire. The candle has burned very low, and as he looks on, the flames touch the substance and the world is consumed in green fire.<br /><br />The explosion vaporizes the High Sparrow and completely destroys the Great Sept of Balor and a significant chunk of King's Landing. Cersie smiles at the sight... she has won. But she has also lost, for Tommen in a separate room sees the smoke rising from the Sept and takes off his crown. He steps up onto a window ledge and leans forward, falling to his death. That is the last of Cersei's children. <br /><br />Cersei also begins to torture Septon Unella - the woman who tortured her when she was in the dungeon under the sept. Then Cersei brings in Ser Gregor... and he stands over her while she screams. What the hell did he do to her? Now Cersei did remind the Septon that the last thing she would ever see before she died was Cersei's face... so maybe he blinded her? But that makes little sense, now Cersei blinding her... well...<br /><br />Anyways Cersei is now Queen, and she will be until a more beautiful one arrives.<br /><br />And that more beautiful Queen is on a damn boat heading for Westeros. <br /><br />Okay. I wrote that in story format because I just really wanted to revisit, what to me, might have been some of the most satisfying and awesome events to occur in King's Landing... ever. My list got a lot shorter. House Tyrell also got a lot smaller, and Lannister lost Kevan as well (that was a change from the books). <br />We see white Raven's flying north.<br /><br />We spend a bit of time in the Twins where Jamie stops over on his way back to King's Landing after taking Riverrun. Bronn gets some tail, Jamie insults Lord Walder Frey. Good times.<br />But what was even better was knowing, for some reason, that the serving wench who kept starring at Jamie was out of place. She feeds Lord Frey some pie... pie filled with Black Walder and Lothar Frey, two of his sons. Then she removes her face, reveals that she is Arya Stark, and slits the old traitors throat. <br /><br />I do not fully know why, but I knew that the serving wench was up to nothing good for the Freys. Another name down!<br /><br />Meereen is a little less interesting. It is really just set up for next season. The best two things were Tyrion saying that for the first time in his life he actually believed in something, he believed in her. Daenerys confession that when she broke it off with Daario she felt nothing was actually pretty cool. That's a strong women, sure some people might say that she's a cold hearted bitch, but to me that reaction is perfectly in character. She always seemed too infatuated with him, almost as a release from the other horrible men she was around. It was never love, it was always lust. And Tyrion's face when he got the Hand of the Queen... that was priceless. <br /><br />There is a short bit in Dorne involving Lady Olenna, Ellaria, and the Sand Snakes. Lady Olenna is always awesome, that lady has fire and take no guff. She tells each Sand Snake in turn to essentially 'shut up.' All she wants is revenge for the death of her House. That's when Varys appears... anyone else sensing a Dorne / Targaryen / Tyrell power team up to slaughter all the remaining Lannisters? <br /><br />There is a tiny bit in Oldtown. Sam has finally arrived at the Citadel. Gilly is still quite hot after being cleaned up at Sam's home. Sam is led into the biggest library in Westeros (the world probably) and he looks just like a kid in a candy store with unlimited money. It will be interesting to see where the hell this leads. <br /><br />Then in the North. <br />Davos confronts Lady Melissandre about the death of Princess Shireen. The Red Woman is banished from the north. Davos wanted her dead... but he accepts, after leveling a threat at her. <br />Then Sansa wins the day. She rebuffs Littlefinger right to his face, and I swear that she set in motion all of the events that lead up to the new King in the North. Yes, Jon Snow becomes King in the North largely due to two women. I swear that Sansa has learned a great deal from Littlefinger... and she has begun to play the game very well. The other woman was young Lady Lyanna Mormont who spoke passionately and fiercely about following a King in the North. She shames the other Lords into swearing their fealty - House Manderly, House Glover, House Cerwyn. So now the north has a bastard as a King... <br /><br />Or does it?<br /><br />Coldhands, Benjen Stark, leaves Bran and Meera at the wall. He cannot pass, the dead cannot cross the spells woven into its foundation. Bran does not immediately leave to cross the wall... instead he touches a weirwood and has a vision. He is the new Three Eyed Raven, he has to know. He has to know what happened in the Tower of Joy. He returns to the scene where the old Three Eye Raven last cut him off... he follows a young Ned Stark inside the tower... <br /><br />Where the expected occurs. <br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoTIp38LML_DOLynj_wKqSBhrhZKRiinox0R3jyEU1FPgzs4ALAXjSMXpG4gFiHa0zsgpDWTaVmyG257_ZQmneFnaIDnBuN7yuD4g4ZE-8zCZR3FL_yLcsDuhV3_KJIg-KlMEk_0lpYK5/s1600/Cersei+Queen+Again.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoTIp38LML_DOLynj_wKqSBhrhZKRiinox0R3jyEU1FPgzs4ALAXjSMXpG4gFiHa0zsgpDWTaVmyG257_ZQmneFnaIDnBuN7yuD4g4ZE-8zCZR3FL_yLcsDuhV3_KJIg-KlMEk_0lpYK5/s640/Cersei+Queen+Again.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">The crowning of a super villain... </span></td></tr>
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Seriously if I had to knock this episode for anyone one single thing it would be the lack of impact learning the truth had. We all knew for so long what was the truth was, that when at last it was finally revealed, it was not a shock. <br /><br />In comparison the destruction of the Faith was just pure gold. The High Sparrow blown to compete bits was just glorious. The Faith and the Crown should have left Trial by Combat alone... but they thought to get ahead of Cersei (super villain) and she outplayed them. I never like rooting for House Lannister (except Tyrion of course) but in this case... Go Super Villain Lady! She also took out what she saw as her greatest rivals - House Tyrell. Cersei won, but she seems to have forgotten the prophesy. A more beautiful Queen will replace her. <br /><br />There were plenty of other really good scenes... but I was walking on green wildfire rainbows for the rest of the episode. <br />
<br />
Now lets take a quick look at my list of characters that need to die.<br /><br />
<strike>#1 High Sparrow </strike><br />
<strike>#2 Ramsay Bolton</strike><br />
<strike>#3 Walder Frey</strike> <br />
#4 Cercei Lannister<br />
#5 Euron Greyjoy (for being boring compared to what he should be)<br />
<strike>#6 The Waif</strike> (for being an asshole).<br />
<strike>#7 Tommen Baratheon</strike> (for sheer incompetence)<br /><br />Something is very wrong. My list is down to only two names. <br /><br />
#4 Cercei Lannister<br />
#5 Euron Greyjoy<br /><br />Maybe next season someone will do something so hideously awful that I can add them to the list. I've been tempted to add the Sand Snakes and Ellara because they killed Doran Martell all the way back in like the first episode of the season... but we have not seen them enough for me to really want them on the list. But we shall see... <br /><br />So here we are, come at last to the end of the Sixth Season of <i>Game of Thrones</i>. It has been a bloody ride that was often not as good as prior seasons, but still ended with a real bang! While much of the season was lackluster, this episode was a grand finale. <br /><br />Oh, does House Stark need to change it's words? "Winter is Coming" rings kinda hollow during winter... maybe they should change it to "We told you so."<br /><br /><u><b>Death Count for season six episode ten, <i>The Winds of Winter</i>:</b></u><br />
<br />
- Grand Maester Pycelle (stabbed by very creepy children)<br />- Brother Lancel (stabbed and was the first to die via the Wildfire)<br />- The High Sparrow (vaporized by wildfire)<br />- Queen Margaery (wildfire explosion)<br />- Lord Mace Tyrell (wildfire explosion)<br />- Lord Kevan Lannister (wildfire explosion)<br />- Loras Tyrell (wildfire explosion)<br />- A hundred or so people witnessing the trial (wildfire explosion) and more in the surrounding area<br />- Six other Septons (wildfire explosion)<br />- Brothers of the Faith Militant who would not let people flee the Sept (wildfire explosion)<br />- King Tommen Baratheon (suicide - jumped to his own death)<br />- Black Walder (killed by Arya, fed to Lord Walder Frey)<br />- Lothar Frey (killed by Arya, fed to Lord Walder Frey)<br />- Lord Walder Frey (throat slit by Arya)<br />
<br />If anyone has been keeping track... the heads of all the Great Houses of Westeros are now dead in the TV show. Lord Mace Tyrell was the last, and Lord Ned Stark was the first. Many of the lesser houses have also lost some heads... <br /><br />
<b>Previous<i> Game of Thrones</i> reviews:</b><br />
<u><br /></u>
Season 6:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/04/game-of-throne-red-woman-s6-e01-tv.html">The Red Woman (Ep1)</a> <br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-home-s6-e02-tv-review.html">Home (Ep2)</a><br />
- Oathbreaker (Ep3) - No Review<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-book-of-stranger-s6-e04.html">Book of the Stranger (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-door-s6-e05-tv-review.html">The Door (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-blood-of-my-blood-s6-e06.html">Blood of My Blood (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/06/game-of-throne-broken-man-s6-e07-tv.html">The Broken Man (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/06/game-of-throne-no-one-s6-e08-tv-review.html">No One (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/06/game-of-throne-battle-of-bastards-s6.html">Battle of the Bastards (Ep9)</a><br />- The Winds of Winter (Ep10) - This review. <br />
<br />
Season 5:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-wars-to-come-season-5.html">The Wars to Come (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-house-of-black-and.html">The House of Black and White (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-high-sparrow-season-5.html">High Sparrow (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-sons-of-harpy-season-5.html">Sons of the Harpy (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-kill-boy-season-5-ep-5.html">Kill the Boy (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-unbowed-unbent-unbroken.html">Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-gift-season-5-ep-7-tv.html">The Gift (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html">Hardhome (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html">The Dance of Dragons (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Season 4:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-two-swords-episode-1.html" target="_blank">Two Swords (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-lion-and-rose-episode-2.html" target="_blank">The Lion and the Rose (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-breaker-of-chains.html" target="_blank">Breaker of Chains (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-oathkeeper-episode-4.html" target="_blank">Oathkeeper (Ep4) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-first-of-his-name.html" target="_blank">The First of His Name (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-laws-of-gods-and-men.html" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men (Ep6) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-mockingbird-episode-7.html" target="_blank">Mockingbird (Ep7) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-mountain-and-viper.html" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-watchers-on-wall.html" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-children-episode-10.html">The Children (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-74050641113091874762016-06-25T02:17:00.001-06:002016-06-26T06:05:33.030-06:00Independence Day Resurgence [Movie Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZ6imiD36_2CON7uw79Hrb0aOEueUCFz6lWgvI4tqbQJahmcpoh_Q6SgLlmHXp_65HjFti_PVpQjA54VJ_Ib3-pkilYZhhSdE3drSMuUiLDdm7Mfcm18qtxS6qivWQVvY78lio1Ptjqm9/s1600/independence_day_resurgence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZ6imiD36_2CON7uw79Hrb0aOEueUCFz6lWgvI4tqbQJahmcpoh_Q6SgLlmHXp_65HjFti_PVpQjA54VJ_Ib3-pkilYZhhSdE3drSMuUiLDdm7Mfcm18qtxS6qivWQVvY78lio1Ptjqm9/s640/independence_day_resurgence.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
Damn was it actually 20 years ago that I saw<i> Independence Day</i> in theaters? I don't even think my local megaplex cinema was even open at the time since the first movie I saw there was <i>The Fifth Element</i> and that movie won't be 20 until next summer... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFUxyBKcnyFCVo5E_yOtafw47ZM2zHpjbZTyELzz0I7PhuPOiOv7MGLff8lVXoYXjbqCz-P6b3W7JHsTVnYe9SMxmrIoPRZmMyBbhJEBTBqjjFqxFy7VYLtcRzFb4lpyIv6GR_uemSql0/s1600/BIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFUxyBKcnyFCVo5E_yOtafw47ZM2zHpjbZTyELzz0I7PhuPOiOv7MGLff8lVXoYXjbqCz-P6b3W7JHsTVnYe9SMxmrIoPRZmMyBbhJEBTBqjjFqxFy7VYLtcRzFb4lpyIv6GR_uemSql0/s640/BIG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This movie is about very big things and moving very fast. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWxNoL2OlYebcV5xXMsatUJTOWiprgEIh0zABr2CMduFOOetJqMQFvws5htp85fr9sg_W0vpqa7mrW62A7puea9uF7-dz8HyGQTX0iiEth6j-bQrgIS-U0TEAs1VO7qCqA9MxIyR4ip62/s1600/Fighter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWxNoL2OlYebcV5xXMsatUJTOWiprgEIh0zABr2CMduFOOetJqMQFvws5htp85fr9sg_W0vpqa7mrW62A7puea9uF7-dz8HyGQTX0iiEth6j-bQrgIS-U0TEAs1VO7qCqA9MxIyR4ip62/s400/Fighter.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Top: New Alien Fighters.<br />Middle: New Earth Fighters.<br />Bottom: Space Tug - the best ship in the movie.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk803YmT0hEUB0vCUuArU4SqHv_oUbOSZb2t3THNeeHorG8os_9aL4w1TwJCijv-iiZlV7YbxLYtCsiMk0YoKBSMj0RrS56EP9-dOON5nlTS5LLuF5GNjHIjSshwrgy4XMCrh0YC4gK4LW/s1600/independence+day+resurgence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk803YmT0hEUB0vCUuArU4SqHv_oUbOSZb2t3THNeeHorG8os_9aL4w1TwJCijv-iiZlV7YbxLYtCsiMk0YoKBSMj0RrS56EP9-dOON5nlTS5LLuF5GNjHIjSshwrgy4XMCrh0YC4gK4LW/s400/independence+day+resurgence.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Bigger aliens, bigger ships, bigger stakes actually... </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjor57LZZxAx5ZegitsIM2aMJ9QMKD9UPGa1EzUNTFWEz0piLRC9a8NadE6n12KMIKCVWCNQpUzKAdQJI_9BKsioQM5pUJt7YL0SJCl1nTx30LDP2PicsH4jH9yzZtvEs4upaON5hLxRglR/s1600/Pullman-IDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjor57LZZxAx5ZegitsIM2aMJ9QMKD9UPGa1EzUNTFWEz0piLRC9a8NadE6n12KMIKCVWCNQpUzKAdQJI_9BKsioQM5pUJt7YL0SJCl1nTx30LDP2PicsH4jH9yzZtvEs4upaON5hLxRglR/s400/Pullman-IDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">To paraphrase a friend, 'Lonestar has gotten old.'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG5ZKFqGEIEY5h72GA1ZYprOvzuewc3_hZRxoDH0qoqoKGnT3ts6hsmgVh5DXPYHzGMs2X89TPqanfiN3JqeSAeWUIiZ6GHvn_QDiT8wMCUQPwIQp9emBAjDXvcJJgzX0XFi4vsHwane1/s1600/Jeff-Goldblum-and-Liam-Hemsworth-in-Independence-Day-Resurgence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG5ZKFqGEIEY5h72GA1ZYprOvzuewc3_hZRxoDH0qoqoKGnT3ts6hsmgVh5DXPYHzGMs2X89TPqanfiN3JqeSAeWUIiZ6GHvn_QDiT8wMCUQPwIQp9emBAjDXvcJJgzX0XFi4vsHwane1/s400/Jeff-Goldblum-and-Liam-Hemsworth-in-Independence-Day-Resurgence.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">"What is that?" "Is it the plot?" "No... it's teaser for ID3."</span></td></tr>
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Damn it, I feel old now. <br />
<br />
So I'm going to stop looking back and start looking forward, at the screen... and wonder what the hell did I just see? <br />
<br />
No, I'm being facetious. I saw a fast paced sci-fi explosion-fest with almost no emotional depth. I saw a movie that perfectly fit the mold of its predecessor. <br />
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I've seen worse, and I've seen far better. This was a real middle of the road movie. It has some moments of spectacle, and some moments of pure 'what.' <br />
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So here's my obligatory <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;"><br />SPOILER WARNING</span></b></span>.<br />
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You've been warned. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lZOeSyPaaG3HxcwAKUKwdAYdxmJO1D9h9UNVJjsPWsdmJs_ZRQegVmnVfydrCPfCgDM25oqePpIpJcOEVXAxnutHeK-BPWf8x-TJmlkmfZqd_sSv5dCR-SJ50WCKdRvt1R8HtgPRPb9x/s1600/Three-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lZOeSyPaaG3HxcwAKUKwdAYdxmJO1D9h9UNVJjsPWsdmJs_ZRQegVmnVfydrCPfCgDM25oqePpIpJcOEVXAxnutHeK-BPWf8x-TJmlkmfZqd_sSv5dCR-SJ50WCKdRvt1R8HtgPRPb9x/s1600/Three-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">3 out of 5 stars.<br />For the first time ever, on this blog,<br />I have revised a Star Rating.<br />This went down.</span></td></tr>
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I've decided to start with the good stuff. <br />
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Returning Actors. Damn it was nice to see so many faces from the first film show back up. We saw Judd Hirsch, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Vivica A. Fox, and Brent Spiner return. John Storey also made a return. Robert Loggia died in December of 2015 and the film had a dedication. <br />
<br />
We did not see Will Smith return, he only appeared as a painting. Nor did we see the woman who played Jeff Goldblum's ex-wife / wife. We at least learn what happened to Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) - but it's a throw-away exposition line. We do not linger. We never learn what happens to Levinson's (Goldblum) wife. <br />
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Lots of new characters, and new faces in old roles. All in all it was not a bad casting job. I really liked Comamnder Jiang (Chin Han) who plars the Moonbase commander, Angelababy (that's her terrrible stage name, her real name is Angela Yeung Wing, which is much prettier) who play Rain Lao the niece of Commander Jiang, and Dikembe Umbutu (Deobia Oparei) who plays an African Warlord who has been fighting a ground war with the aliens. <br />
<br />
That's also an improvement. This installment has a ground war. Well a sorta ground war... fine, we see their personal weapons not just their battle suits. And of course there are air battles again. We actually never have a space battle despite the fact that the Human Fighters are shown to be space worthy. All of the fighter designs are improvements. They are pretty cool, but damn if that Space Tug is not awesome. <br />
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There are some really good moments of humor. <br />
The action is solid. <br />
The actors are good.<br />
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Those are the good points. Now lets discuss the stupid and or bad.<br />
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First off the movie is super predictable. I'm stating that here, because it is both a downside and not a downside. I expected this as much before even going to the theater. It was a textbook film formula, with textbook tropes where you'd expect them.<br />
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The humans are blindingly stupid at times. I mean several times. Once they just walked into a trap that is so blisteringly obvious I almost laughed. They are also really unobservant to go along with the blindingly stupid. <br />
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And lets not even begin to try and figure out the science in this one. I have no idea why the cities and planes and cars were more attracted to the alien ship than to the earth. We are told that the ship has its own gravity (everything does, it's proportional to the mass of the object and inversely proportional the distance from the object) which is fine. The idea that it has gravity equal to or greater than the moon at its size (3000mi long) is also acceptable. The idea that it has greater gravity than earth? Sure... if it is made of like Neutron Star Metal... but otherwise no. And then after lifting the buildings up, they fall back to Earth? What? What. I have no idea what happened there. Not a clue. Did I miss a line about super gravity tech? (Yes earlier in the film they talk about the aliens having anti-grav, so the humans now do to... but this 'gravity weapon' was never discussed.)<br />
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I'd love to say that was the worst part, but no. <br />
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There was no emotional weight to the movie. Almost none. The only real moments of emotion come when Captain Dylan Hiller (Jessie T. Usher) punches Chris Hemsworth for nearly killing him prior to the movie, and when Patricia Whitmore, President Whitmore's daughter, accepts his decision. That was like all the emotion in the movie aside. Yeah they added in some orphaned kids who are sad their parents are dead, cause that is supposed to give us the emotional impact, but it really doesn't. For and End of the World scenario - people are way to calm. They were far more panicked in the first movie. The entire species is about to be killed and the only people who are actually acting like it's the End of the World are a handful of sailors who are getting drunk... seriously?!? This movie would have been seriously helped by some emotional weight. I mean I also never felt any of the main characters were in danger... Make me feel afraid for a character... randomly kill one, off one, injure one... something! <br />
<br />
So the movie was predictable & humans are stupid.<br />
The physics / science / whatever was completely baffling at times.<br />
The movie lacked real emotional weight. <br />
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It's a popcorn flick. Matinee at best, discount day certainly. Completely up to you.<br />But remember - this is just an action sci-fi movie. It is in the exact same vein as the original <i>Independence Day</i>. If you are not expecting an <i>Independence Day</i> style movie, well... I don't know what to tell you. <br /><br />Still. I can't forgive the flat characters that we just don't care about. That's why the movie went down a half star. I was almost tempted to remove a full star, but that felt cruel. While I am a film school grad, I do not feel the need to belittle every film just because the mise-en-scene was not completely original, or the the blocking was a little to inspired by John Ford. So I took away a half star, because in my film courses we stressed 'the character centered screen play.' Give me characters that I can relate to, care about, etc. <br />
Still I saw it and it was an <i>Independence Day</i> style movie. Do what you will... but I suggest a matinee.<br />
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But know this... there will be a third one. They primed the pump for the third part of a trilogy very hard. Here's hoping that ID3 is much better than IDR. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-55525508284161011992016-06-21T02:47:00.000-06:002016-06-27T03:54:07.370-06:00Game of Throne "Battle of the Bastards" (S6 - E09) [TV Review] <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftk7-r9GmCmKrKdT82CJEv_DzXXICoUcoFrBPc3V8MyZDI4P6QtaNXwb7iBJuTnZSSFfX9PgKJlPTX6iQMcyguFzcEXWX1ihmJRuIvSvgL1c9HTGlLdy2y7cdzvu4X8GX3Dg_xWvkwNgX/s1600/Bastard+Fight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftk7-r9GmCmKrKdT82CJEv_DzXXICoUcoFrBPc3V8MyZDI4P6QtaNXwb7iBJuTnZSSFfX9PgKJlPTX6iQMcyguFzcEXWX1ihmJRuIvSvgL1c9HTGlLdy2y7cdzvu4X8GX3Dg_xWvkwNgX/s640/Bastard+Fight.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Bastard Fight! Everybody there's gonna be a bastard fight!</span></td></tr>
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Well this was a very hyped up episode. <br />
Maybe it even deserved the hype. <br />
It was a very good episode from my point of view.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqHgAjGZ1T1F3a6VaFsg5q-XOYJ_woPMbI4zNtLxzyNg-xlTqyBEts30x8Y7J98S_vXiU5vjIBD8qYCMajgwGnYSG8tZs3AXmlXOAiu_uYcYjlCX6hJJiyp22gsRH4wSe690FQpdLA3un/s1600/Davos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqHgAjGZ1T1F3a6VaFsg5q-XOYJ_woPMbI4zNtLxzyNg-xlTqyBEts30x8Y7J98S_vXiU5vjIBD8qYCMajgwGnYSG8tZs3AXmlXOAiu_uYcYjlCX6hJJiyp22gsRH4wSe690FQpdLA3un/s640/Davos.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This bodes badly for Mellisandre. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_w247k5PAmIOZU-A-qqLHiWHV8C9kCf4xqBTQor7p1RpnvkXjM_nymEPWRnj9JcdYlnfcJrGzR2X0N3myi7wjRGD3Gh51wN7wHplx8XYd_AWm0xao-gODIAaNjiJ_h6FbIrGKEvQ1xug/s1600/Giant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_w247k5PAmIOZU-A-qqLHiWHV8C9kCf4xqBTQor7p1RpnvkXjM_nymEPWRnj9JcdYlnfcJrGzR2X0N3myi7wjRGD3Gh51wN7wHplx8XYd_AWm0xao-gODIAaNjiJ_h6FbIrGKEvQ1xug/s400/Giant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Wun Wun, the giant.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQLDbGYCKqYcYwmI0u7kreWvW7xG9KFIZOK95LjjLofjBBGKdE3oLUmcN1X3cUEUrM4KBhZI40LaCMq3NH0P7KlEXKehUH6q6tsvRY4r4feADcsKVU2VgEaF2dvb94JkRorbHWowqss_3/s1600/RunRickonRun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQLDbGYCKqYcYwmI0u7kreWvW7xG9KFIZOK95LjjLofjBBGKdE3oLUmcN1X3cUEUrM4KBhZI40LaCMq3NH0P7KlEXKehUH6q6tsvRY4r4feADcsKVU2VgEaF2dvb94JkRorbHWowqss_3/s400/RunRickonRun.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Let's play a game. You run over there. I'll hit you with arrows.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoA2mJJHzF96sYmjtQ_qNEVWyJI-ot3tXEIGSgBZc56PZGv-7SusOxmLtLxPOw4Mo1Kder9vr_Vphx4LYNIK-3m0KVnjBzMmS6sadETXEAPbF46rZYKAfVxY5VfdRf_IZQjdGeby3wRS5/s1600/Shitshitshit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoA2mJJHzF96sYmjtQ_qNEVWyJI-ot3tXEIGSgBZc56PZGv-7SusOxmLtLxPOw4Mo1Kder9vr_Vphx4LYNIK-3m0KVnjBzMmS6sadETXEAPbF46rZYKAfVxY5VfdRf_IZQjdGeby3wRS5/s400/Shitshitshit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Shit. Shit. Shit. Shitshitshit... </span></td></tr>
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Let me start again.<br />
<br />
This review will be rather short, as I was unable to get to it right after the episode. However I did not want to skip this episode.<br />
<br />
I'm just going to cover the high points. So here is the obligatory<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: red;">SPOILER WARNING!</span></b></span><br />
<br />
First off, Daenerysis back and with more of an attitude than before... and still she actually listens to Tyrion when his is being rational. She also brought a huge army and the fantasy world's only real air superiority fighters (dragons). <br />
<br />
The Wise Master's of Yunkai are arrogant and it costs them. Well two of them... and lots of burned ships and slain Harpies. Quick brutal, but we may at last finally be leaving Meereen. I hope sincerely that we are leaving Meereen... it's been a giant plot stopping hole for far too long. <br />
<br />
Oh, whoops. My rating. <br />
Here you go.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVck9c4K7djwqxSWAw2LEKTlI1zftSJOESIaBwBzmC4QQ5ue4yYKBdiEEFOlw-YQnrr4t8BXnbl0RTqfNa04iCKQnvrOF3gDM1S2glMcFWY-dKCjfcTC_B45kSsVJO5Q_r4xucug1Gs7OT/s1600/Tyrion-Daenerys-Yara-Theon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVck9c4K7djwqxSWAw2LEKTlI1zftSJOESIaBwBzmC4QQ5ue4yYKBdiEEFOlw-YQnrr4t8BXnbl0RTqfNa04iCKQnvrOF3gDM1S2glMcFWY-dKCjfcTC_B45kSsVJO5Q_r4xucug1Gs7OT/s400/Tyrion-Daenerys-Yara-Theon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">And award for most surprising scene goes to... Yara and Theon <br />treating with, and agree to Daenerys's demands. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qXyFFuuhk1pOGTg34NxsA9kKxnLkQR4u0ubZmnimFe3bvEyDsiVzDeaCH3loxYys0Hcml9e55vidNgKtavj0ZXgmS4i_kVuJLuJsbqxf3TcliJj0pB1MwGVQF5dLnZulkddHZGn8CSZN/s1600/Airsuperiority.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qXyFFuuhk1pOGTg34NxsA9kKxnLkQR4u0ubZmnimFe3bvEyDsiVzDeaCH3loxYys0Hcml9e55vidNgKtavj0ZXgmS4i_kVuJLuJsbqxf3TcliJj0pB1MwGVQF5dLnZulkddHZGn8CSZN/s400/Airsuperiority.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">When one side has complete and total air superiority... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also... I was really not expecting Yara and Theon to be at Meereen. Last we saw them was in Volantis? Sure they were in Esos... but... I dunno this surprised me. A good surprise, but a surprise nonetheless. <br />
<br />
Then we get the big battle. <br />
<br />
Well there is some lead up. Mostly Jon not listening to Sansa, and posturing in front of Ramsay. Some fun dialogue with Tormund and Ser Davos. Oh, and that scene where Davos finds the horse he carved for Princess Shireen amongst the burned timbers of a pyre... that will not end well. <br />
<br />
Of course Sansa warns Jon Snow about Ramsay... but she never comes out and says that she sent a letter back in an early episode. The one Littlefinger received and then informed Lord Robert about... yeah. Sansa also tells Jon repeatedly that they need more men. It's kinda a big obvious hint that the Knights of the Vale (House Arryn) are coming... and yes they save the day. <br />
<br />
The battle is really well done. Super chaotic, very panic filled, and bloodily brutal. Sure there are a few critiques of the battle - such as 'Mountains of bodies? Really?, but in general it was very well done. I did love the scene where Wun Wun the Giant bursts through Winterfel's gate. Sad that he died. <br />
<br />
But damn has Sansa grown as a character. She has gone from whiny selfish stupid little girl to powerful self-aware worldly woman. She has suffered a lot, a whole lot, stuff that would break many people. But instead of letting it break her, she has grown. She's gone from one of my least favorite characters to one of my, well maybe not favorite, but certainly much more liked. <br />
<br />
And she jumps up even further in this episode. Her vengeance against Ramsay was poetic. And she removed my second most hated character from the list. Good on her. <br />
<br />
Remember my little list of characters I'd like to see die? Well, #2 was accomplished. I doubt we'll see #1 this season... but if we could, oh that would make me happy. <br />
<br />
#1 High Sparrow <br />
<strike>#2 Ramsay Bolton</strike><br />
#3 Walder Frey (I still hate him even if he has not been seen very much).<br />
#4 Cercei Lannister<br />
#5 Euron Greyjoy (for being boring compared to what he should be)<br />
<strike>#6 The Waif</strike> (for being an asshole).<br />
#7 Tommen Baratheon (for sheer incompetence)<br />
<br />
The list is getting filled in. I removed #8 because I actually thought the main actress in the crappy play redeemed herself through self awareness. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitq1fjurWTDabkjjyEqXrClsXYkBWpS1GoAILPYmWR9rINZpjjAMFvJkwvA1mCULTkGXEo3TPqHkCjVvNpnHzBNO46YvJyYb8lU_URm5EZdpKYdYE3q4lOZ5rupbXcl79zd2TZAE5ag9ky/s1600/Sansa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitq1fjurWTDabkjjyEqXrClsXYkBWpS1GoAILPYmWR9rINZpjjAMFvJkwvA1mCULTkGXEo3TPqHkCjVvNpnHzBNO46YvJyYb8lU_URm5EZdpKYdYE3q4lOZ5rupbXcl79zd2TZAE5ag9ky/s400/Sansa.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">And the award for most improved character <br />over the entire series goes to...<br />Sansa! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With the list getting cleaner... it's time to check in on the death count.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Death Count for season six episode nine, <i>Battle of the Bastards</i>:</b></u><br />
<br />
- Two of the Wise Master's of Yunkai<br />
- Many Yunkish sailors<br />
- Several Brothers of the Harpy<br />
- Prince Rickon Stark (slain by Ramsay's arrow)<br />
- Lord Smalljon Umber (stabbed repeatedly by Tormund)<br />
- Thousands of Soldiers from the Wildlings, Boltons, Umbers, and more.<br />
- Wun Wun the Giant (dozens of arrows, and finally an arrow to the eye)<br />
- Ramsay Bolton (eaten alive by his bitches)<br />
<br />
<b>Previous<i> Game of Thrones</i> reviews:</b><br />
<u><br /></u>
Season 6:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/04/game-of-throne-red-woman-s6-e01-tv.html">The Red Woman (Ep1)</a> <br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-home-s6-e02-tv-review.html">Home (Ep2)</a><br />
- Oathbreaker (Ep3) - No Review<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-book-of-stranger-s6-e04.html">Book of the Stranger (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-door-s6-e05-tv-review.html">The Door (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-blood-of-my-blood-s6-e06.html">Blood of My Blood (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/06/game-of-throne-broken-man-s6-e07-tv.html">The Broken Man (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/06/game-of-throne-no-one-s6-e08-tv-review.html">No One (Ep8)</a><br />
<br />
Season 5:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-wars-to-come-season-5.html">The Wars to Come (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-house-of-black-and.html">The House of Black and White (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-high-sparrow-season-5.html">High Sparrow (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-sons-of-harpy-season-5.html">Sons of the Harpy (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-kill-boy-season-5-ep-5.html">Kill the Boy (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-unbowed-unbent-unbroken.html">Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-gift-season-5-ep-7-tv.html">The Gift (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html">Hardhome (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html">The Dance of Dragons (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Season 4:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-two-swords-episode-1.html" target="_blank">Two Swords (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-lion-and-rose-episode-2.html" target="_blank">The Lion and the Rose (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-breaker-of-chains.html" target="_blank">Breaker of Chains (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-oathkeeper-episode-4.html" target="_blank">Oathkeeper (Ep4) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-first-of-his-name.html" target="_blank">The First of His Name (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-laws-of-gods-and-men.html" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men (Ep6) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-mockingbird-episode-7.html" target="_blank">Mockingbird (Ep7) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-mountain-and-viper.html" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-watchers-on-wall.html" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-children-episode-10.html">The Children (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-59519347086259519122016-06-13T02:27:00.002-06:002016-06-21T02:38:15.491-06:00Game of Throne "No One" (S6 - E08) [TV Review] <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBtFsC22dkHn6_BdFROAzW6qDvDiQJ7WPwvdVwDRbgfu8_9zxbeRHaDSh2wA-JTjPCrE9Sh8c70ytrx1r359OiW4KuZf4qIsLXQjmexLtmcyt9DrPL1ghGbhgvhblIEdobBPLpNhqh5K-/s1600/NoOne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBtFsC22dkHn6_BdFROAzW6qDvDiQJ7WPwvdVwDRbgfu8_9zxbeRHaDSh2wA-JTjPCrE9Sh8c70ytrx1r359OiW4KuZf4qIsLXQjmexLtmcyt9DrPL1ghGbhgvhblIEdobBPLpNhqh5K-/s640/NoOne.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">She runs well for someone who has been gut stabbed.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Season Six has been a very strange season to watch. <br />
It is the first season that we are really beyond the books, but at times we are also stuck back in book 3 and sometimes in book 5. And there are times when the season just seems to go where it wants with little care for what came before...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAj2iKykWwtqW7ntXB_2h0pYPqPd-WhWuO0VTrr_lMPZqW2M24g_IfGUqU-cE_wWDjcYUzcuel3Trnn0aOQcclwz4YGe_4DknLbHRUfwVDFKeFDb6-zYa9SyCkZNBG3EUthkpWqJFAEad/s1600/game-thrones-6x08-Violence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAj2iKykWwtqW7ntXB_2h0pYPqPd-WhWuO0VTrr_lMPZqW2M24g_IfGUqU-cE_wWDjcYUzcuel3Trnn0aOQcclwz4YGe_4DknLbHRUfwVDFKeFDb6-zYa9SyCkZNBG3EUthkpWqJFAEad/s400/game-thrones-6x08-Violence.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">She chose violence... we all appreciate that. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This episode has some epic scenes, but unfortunately the plot barely moves forward. We take a few tiny steps... in what I expect to is anticipation of a great charge at the end.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I9JhGstK6naRZpt_0ZEUttpKWQJ_dJ6R34VySCpkW2Pmrk6hsyBdz4E1Lu7af3u2LAcj7l-Ln0JeOuNDNhAiyUyXBC4wVGRQG8k5AkeCSptGnEQppSRM4FboXhIV37dr4kwtxo3RCJ5-/s1600/UmmmOk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I9JhGstK6naRZpt_0ZEUttpKWQJ_dJ6R34VySCpkW2Pmrk6hsyBdz4E1Lu7af3u2LAcj7l-Ln0JeOuNDNhAiyUyXBC4wVGRQG8k5AkeCSptGnEQppSRM4FboXhIV37dr4kwtxo3RCJ5-/s400/UmmmOk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Oh goody... Brienne is going to assume the role of the Blackfish.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Things that move forward:<br />
We'll cover each one individually.<br />
So, we're going to go at this review a bit differently. Instead of my usualy discussion of the events in a location, I'm just going to talk about what occurs for a character or two at once.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52k8t0OfbsDUunx-PyaudyH42Dg0N3GPyMym_OckA0Z5AbNRtrNLUeJ_p5FwgqgCpfqgYf5ZSCSVaxlj14uWcZVLWS0ZydOFn1O4myVHU6fn_R3cd_5IRW5txC-WZ1c1TzUk9KtvIl8Oq/s1600/MostfamousDwarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52k8t0OfbsDUunx-PyaudyH42Dg0N3GPyMym_OckA0Z5AbNRtrNLUeJ_p5FwgqgCpfqgYf5ZSCSVaxlj14uWcZVLWS0ZydOFn1O4myVHU6fn_R3cd_5IRW5txC-WZ1c1TzUk9KtvIl8Oq/s400/MostfamousDwarf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: small;">The most famous dwarf... in the world. </span><b><br /></b>(Read in Clarkson's voice).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For reminders sake:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">SPOILERS AHEAD!</span></b></span><br />
<br />
- <u>Arya's story advances (a tiny bit), but the title kinda gives that away.</u> <br />
<br />
The waif continues her chase, following Arya to the house of the lead actress (the one in the awful play). Arya was helped by the actress, sewn up, fed, etc... but the Waif found her and killed her - giving her to the many faced god as Arya was supposed to do. Then the waif continues to pursue Arya. Arya's wounds reopen, but she gets back to her room where she sequestered her sword, Needle. In one of the best scenes in the episode Arya assumes a water dancer pose, slices the candle and the room goes dark. We do not see it on screen... but you know the Waif was quickly and easily dispatched. Arya brings the waif's face back to the Hall of Faces and is found by No One (Jaqen H'ghar) who says that she is now No One. Arya rejects this saying that she is Arya of House Stark. <br />
<br />
So... what the hell happened? <br />
Is she a faceless assassin? Did she reject it, and in doing so actually become one? Or is she completely out? <br />
This scene is really rather vague at the end, and we're left wondering - what is Arya now? <br />
We do not know the rules of the House of Black and White, in part because we do not have the full story from the books and partly because even if we did, the chances are the show could not spend that much time in exposition over such rules.<br />
<br />
Next up is...<br />
- <u>The idiocy in King's Landing gets even more idiotic.</u><br />
<br />
The opener here is great. The Undead Mountain that Guards gets to rip the head off of a member of the Faith Militant. For me this scene was only one-upped by Arya slicing the candle. I am actually, and I hate this, rooting for Cersei to finally wipe out the Faith. I'm not sure she is competent enough... and the vile High Sparrow is certainly well versed in politics as he continues to manipulate Tommen (Stupidest of his name, jack-wad of the Andals and the First Men, Moron of the... whatever...). The High Sparrow, using his mindless mouthpeice, King Tommen, has eliminated the idea of Trial by Combat - removing an ancient tradition that was going to get in his way. Well that throws a wrench in Cercei's plans... <br />
<br />
There are times when I wonder if she's not going to be the one to kill Tommen, not intentionally, but by her own hand. The King is so inexplicably stupid. He may actually be a worse king than Joffery. Which is impressive. The only competent child that Cersei let live after birth was Myrcella who is of course dead (a combination of a lot of people doing very stupid things again... Oberyn, Jamie, The Sand Snakes, etc...)<br />
<br />
Still the Mountain that Guards ripping a Faith Militant's head off was awesome. More of this please! <br />
<br />
Oh, and what is Qyburn talking about with his little birds, the rumor? I may need to watch the early part of the season again to remember this... Hopefully whatever it is will help bring the High Sparrow down. <br />
<br />
- <u>The Hound gets some revenge, and his story is heading in a direction that I have no clue about...</u><br />
<br />
The Hound finds some of the men who killed the people building a Sept. He goes all woodcutter on them. Axe removes the head, Axe goes through the sternum, Axe opens the neck, Axe splits the crotch and then the skull. Axe is happy! Later he gets even more bonus revenge... thanks to the graciousness of Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr. <br />
<br />
And the hound ends up joining them and marching north?<br />
You can color me confused. I'm at a loss here... I have no idea what is happening anymore. We've never met Lady Stoneheart, but signs were pointing to her maybe, just maybe, appearing at the end of the season. Now I'm not certain, despite the signs from Brienne's plot (you'll see how that gets up-ended later). With Dondarrion still alive... I doubt we'll see Stoneheart. <br />
<br />
- <u>"I once walked into a brothel with a honeycomb and jackass..." </u><br />
<br />
What has Tyrion been up to? In short, loosing a city. <br />
Seriously. He says goodbye to Varys who is off on a secret mission (if you read the books you know what he is going to do - provided the show does not cut that out). Then Tyrion is drinking and joking with Greyworm and Missandei when the Yunkai show up with a massive massive fleet and begin bombarding Meereen. However Daenerys arrives as the city is under siege by landing her dragon on the pyramid's roof (off screen of course). She then walks in and says nothing... that will be next episode. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBIlWUU3FEwUePTYxGZROhqEF7lJuL9TEzBGkK1IHPzjdT7LqHUCAEAOQeYJwQVo-1i4xfe6z6U0mMqt5yG_w1kV6I0lJEadjVLUOXyCvensWULVAiMbeJR9GHfuVGxIvU2e_a0jePChB/s1600/daenerys_targaryen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBIlWUU3FEwUePTYxGZROhqEF7lJuL9TEzBGkK1IHPzjdT7LqHUCAEAOQeYJwQVo-1i4xfe6z6U0mMqt5yG_w1kV6I0lJEadjVLUOXyCvensWULVAiMbeJR9GHfuVGxIvU2e_a0jePChB/s400/daenerys_targaryen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">'Mother's home. What. The. F*CK. did you do to my city?!'</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
- <u>Jamie Lannister meets back up with Brienne and then says goodbye to her all over again. Oh and Jamie pressures Edmure into surrendering Riverrun. </u><br />
<br />
Best bit from these scenes? Bronn and Pod. Bron picks on Pod whilst trying to teach Pod to move on from being a squire. For the longest time it looked like Jamie was once again going to have some of his best book scenes removed. They were not completely... but there is still that change in his character that rankles. In the books he's begun to no longer love Cersei. He's moving past her idiotic selfishness. Not in the show. This rankles. <br />
<br />
At the same time, since in the books Brienne is no where near here... she dealing with Lady Stoneheart instead, Brienne is assuming the role the Blackfish had in the books. The Blackfish originally escaped the first siege of Riverrun, but nope... here he dies. (I did say spoilers earlier). Now his role is Brienne's. She has to go north and help Sansa. Which honestly she might do in the books anyways... but we may never know (I don't expect the next book until 2017 at the earliest). Maybe just maybe the Blackfish lives since he dies off screen... but I doubt it. He was being all stubborn and/or foolish (his own words, "I haven't had a sword fight in years, I expect I'll make a damn fool of myself").<br />
<br />
That was almost everything that happened in the episode, if not everything. <br />
<br />
See? Tiny steps. Tiny tiny steps... and nothing really at all in the North. Nothing with Bran, nor Jon, nor Sansa. Nothing with Theon, nothing with Yara, nothing even with Ramsay. But perhaps we are moving forward, slowly slowly forward. I really hope more happens in the next episode... <br />
<br />
Although quite a number of people ended up taking the long dirt nap in this episode... <br />
<br />
<u><b>Death Count for season six episode eight, <i>No One</i>:</b></u><br />
<br />
- Ser Bryndon Tully, the Black Fish - off screen to some Lannister / Frey scrubs. <br />
- Lem Lemoncloak (the guy in yellow, hanged by the Hound).<br />
- Four of the Brotherhood without Banners (axes to death by the Hound).<br />
- Two more of the Brotherhood (via hanging next to Lem).<br />
- Lady Crane (the actress, killed by the Waif).<br />
- The Waif (stuck with the pointy end in the dark by Arya, now the waif's face is in the Hall). <br />
- A Faith Militant (head torn off by the Mountain that Guards). <br />
<br />
<b>Previous<i> Game of Thrones</i> reviews:</b><br />
<u><br /></u>
Season 6:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/04/game-of-throne-red-woman-s6-e01-tv.html">The Red Woman (Ep1)</a> <br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-home-s6-e02-tv-review.html">Home (Ep2)</a><br />
- Oathbreaker (Ep3) - No Review<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-book-of-stranger-s6-e04.html">Book of the Stranger (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-door-s6-e05-tv-review.html">The Door (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-blood-of-my-blood-s6-e06.html">Blood of My Blood (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/06/game-of-throne-broken-man-s6-e07-tv.html">The Broken Man (Ep7)</a><br />
<br />
Season 5:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-wars-to-come-season-5.html">The Wars to Come (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-house-of-black-and.html">The House of Black and White (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-high-sparrow-season-5.html">High Sparrow (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-sons-of-harpy-season-5.html">Sons of the Harpy (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-kill-boy-season-5-ep-5.html">Kill the Boy (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-unbowed-unbent-unbroken.html">Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-gift-season-5-ep-7-tv.html">The Gift (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html">Hardhome (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html">The Dance of Dragons (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Season 4:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-two-swords-episode-1.html" target="_blank">Two Swords (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-lion-and-rose-episode-2.html" target="_blank">The Lion and the Rose (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-breaker-of-chains.html" target="_blank">Breaker of Chains (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-oathkeeper-episode-4.html" target="_blank">Oathkeeper (Ep4) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-first-of-his-name.html" target="_blank">The First of His Name (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-laws-of-gods-and-men.html" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men (Ep6) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-mockingbird-episode-7.html" target="_blank">Mockingbird (Ep7) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-mountain-and-viper.html" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-watchers-on-wall.html" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-children-episode-10.html">The Children (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-91974192267223625582016-06-06T00:18:00.000-06:002016-06-13T02:14:17.072-06:00Game of Throne "The Broken Man" (S6 - E07) [TV Review] <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDi7q1TqyTjZ0xKMfCkQSl3-ztDwz6MseaQIBS6rPPeHT697f6PA-QjN84iNp_cN-4jxytiTkSxQVD7d1zXzIw0cYq3ZopNKzZd8smV00RsRyL4d84XzK1Sc9pOI17Te0und_eFdoc2y7/s1600/HoundSepton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDi7q1TqyTjZ0xKMfCkQSl3-ztDwz6MseaQIBS6rPPeHT697f6PA-QjN84iNp_cN-4jxytiTkSxQVD7d1zXzIw0cYq3ZopNKzZd8smV00RsRyL4d84XzK1Sc9pOI17Te0und_eFdoc2y7/s640/HoundSepton.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This episode began rather oddly. No opening credits / music. Just straight into the episode.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've not done this in a while.<br />
But how about today we get a live reaction blog. <br />
<br />
I'll be typing this as the episode airs. I doubt that I will include any time stamps.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A3F7iMioLQKyC1h5zUckERJG7sdPYuzuWGNM4afQhkuFGzv8nLKU3Y8JbU6oKfrNaPxGwjZV3s-XGQK8iIZGqJZ258FGAY_6x4ebEKQ7Jccqyuwqlp2XBqMKTqNaa0zkdlKvyGusnsgn/s1600/bronn.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A3F7iMioLQKyC1h5zUckERJG7sdPYuzuWGNM4afQhkuFGzv8nLKU3Y8JbU6oKfrNaPxGwjZV3s-XGQK8iIZGqJZ258FGAY_6x4ebEKQ7Jccqyuwqlp2XBqMKTqNaa0zkdlKvyGusnsgn/s400/bronn.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Jamie and Bronn in the Riverlands.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Umm... no opening song? That's fine.<br />
I have no idea why we're watching frontier settlers building a thing... oh, they are building a Sept. Dude is wearing a seven pointed star around his neck. <br />
<br />
The Hound Lives!<br />
Okay now that is cool. And this sets up something I've been hoping to see. A final battle between the Hound and the Mountain. It will come, mark my words.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8O56gNb8fTAcE7wF0N9hdsYAbJcc_Bz42h_ivAcR0SU-u2h9S68mXKH3ZPIQWemmW247LAeyc9ZzrMdMM8Df9Mi86nX8nbFSO9qbqb3lbbYzGl2z1gHlBJzhlT0wWBIJKZPkfE403VHJ/s1600/yara-greyjoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8O56gNb8fTAcE7wF0N9hdsYAbJcc_Bz42h_ivAcR0SU-u2h9S68mXKH3ZPIQWemmW247LAeyc9ZzrMdMM8Df9Mi86nX8nbFSO9qbqb3lbbYzGl2z1gHlBJzhlT0wWBIJKZPkfE403VHJ/s400/yara-greyjoy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Well this is just mean. Poor Theon. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhw4Rvjarl2wrsNdHRS5bfbcKDnYn6IPnlfdF0OvP_Ksarkika8ZMaRjlozP0J-ICXe6xtgh58URJqet9SJ0S40NAMIwoKdf_X5M03I955lqNZwH-2Ifzja3vE9tgWk4QrFFJPoHSrp_6/s1600/TheBlackfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhw4Rvjarl2wrsNdHRS5bfbcKDnYn6IPnlfdF0OvP_Ksarkika8ZMaRjlozP0J-ICXe6xtgh58URJqet9SJ0S40NAMIwoKdf_X5M03I955lqNZwH-2Ifzja3vE9tgWk4QrFFJPoHSrp_6/s400/TheBlackfish.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Yeah, the images might not match the words.<br />This is the Blackfish, Bryndon Tully. He's kind of a bad-ass.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ah, finally the opening song. <br />
<br />
Again. The Hound! I have no idea why I'm so excited to see him. He was never a very liked character... but at the same time, I never really hated him either. He was just there. He's very straight forward. <br />
<br />
I do like this guy wearing the seven pointed star. He's got the right attitude. <br />
<br />
I am really not happy with the direction Margaery is heading. I'm hoping beyond hope that she is working an angle to bring the High Sparrow down. If not, I am going to be very disappointed. Someone needs to end him, and soon. "Congress does not require desire on the woman's part." - Ah, yes medieval misogyny. Words from the High Sparrow's puckered lying lips. He can't die soon enough... and he is plotting against the Queen of Thrones. <br />
<br />
Ugh, Margaery is really playing the game. I hope that is the truth. Did she just pass something to the Queen of Thorns? Yes, yes she did. A rose drawing. <br />
<br />
Ah, the Wildlings. Still like Torman Giantsbane. Some good speeches by Jon and Torman. I eagerly await this army crashing down on the Boltons. <br />
<br />
The Queen of Thorns tells Cercei to her face how stupid she is. It's a wonderful scene. I worry that the Queen of Thorns is being manipulated into a corner. I'm not happy about that. I'm hoping she makes it out, but we'll see...<br />
<br />
And now Jamie in the Riverlands, punctuated by watching a large river flow. Bron is with him. That's cool. Bron's wit is top notch. Man he is one of my favorite characters. So cool. Oh, look an idiot Frey is making empty threats. Threats that will never ever bother the Black Fish. Jamie knows how to threaten... and how to carry out said threats. It's basic psychology - never make a threat unless you are willing to make good on it. <br />
<br />
Really liking the bit at House Mormont. Again, Ser Davos just rocks. [Another one of my favorite characters.] He has a great way with words, despite, or perhaps because of his, humble origins. He thinks before he speaks, something more characters should do. And that care come through. Jon and Sansa's arguments fall flat because they speak from emotion, giving simple reasons. Ser Davos takes his time and comes forth with reasoned arguments and common ground (mutual understanding). <br />
<br />
Ah, now we shall see Jamie parley with the Blackfish. This should be good. <br />
[Hooray for returning to books we should have been long past.]<br />
It was actually a pretty close scene to the <br />
<br />
It's the guy (Tim <span class="st">McInnerny</span>) who plays Percy in Blackadder! So cool! He makes a good Glover. Lets see if Davos saves this conversation... cause once again the Starks are doing a really terrible job at this. Looks like... nope. Starks suck at negotiation and persuasion. They must have made Charisma their dump stats. <br />
<br />
Ah, poor poor Theon stuck at a brothel with no cock. "I know you've had some bad years" is not exactly the most... um... politic sentence for torture. Yara is making an attempt to get Theon back... the Theon of old. But lets wait and see. He might kill himself, I mean she planted the idea. I'm thinking, hoping that he does not. He needs to be rebuilt. It would be interesting to see a broken character rebuilt.<br />
<br />
And now we return to the same place Stannis camped. This seems an ill omen. <br />
I suspect that Sansa has written her note to Little Finger... but we shall see. <br />
<br />
Back to the Builder dude, the Septon. Is he the traveling Septon, Meribald? Or is he the Elder Brother from the Quiet Islands? Or is this again some mix of the two. It seems more like Meribald... but could be a mix of the two. <br />
Is that Lem Lemoncloak? Damn it. Sometimes i wish it was easier to remember minor characters in this show. The Hound says they are from the Brotherhood. That sounds like that is probably Lem. <br />
<br />
First time in this episode we've seen Arya. She's buying passage back home... but wait. We need to...<br />
Fuck. Arya was just stabbed in the guts, by the Waif. But she's not really dead... yet. But that's a nasty wound.<br />
<br />
And the Septon is dead. And so are all the others. Except the Hound, and he has an axe. <br />
<br />
Preview for next week!<br />
And it looks next week is going to screw up Jamie's character even more... Damn it.<br />
Still this episode was better than last week. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xcKLmK5neoXEFLRPVwx7AmQbXZHyR7XBoMSEFCLH9_oy3RkHMB0WINCxCAZmYLajS1oFyGYkBLf1K9Nw79P4AYcUoAh4qSdaYPN3x4mSJEpE2rs0ns14AWtqe7EwNCcEXumJC3LZq2ty/s1600/TitansAss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xcKLmK5neoXEFLRPVwx7AmQbXZHyR7XBoMSEFCLH9_oy3RkHMB0WINCxCAZmYLajS1oFyGYkBLf1K9Nw79P4AYcUoAh4qSdaYPN3x4mSJEpE2rs0ns14AWtqe7EwNCcEXumJC3LZq2ty/s400/TitansAss.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This scene was way too predictable. <br />You knew it was coming from a mile away. <br />Just like the Titan's ass - it was big and you could see it from a long ways off.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Death Count for season six episode seven, <i>The Broken Man</i>:</b></u><br />
<br />
- Brother Ray (<i>I have edited this as I now know the characters name. I thought it might have been Septon Meribald, and it turns out the it was not</i>).<br />
- A large group of people who followed Brother Ray. <br />
<br />
<b>Previous<i> Game of Thrones</i> reviews:</b><br />
<u><br /></u>
Season 6:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/04/game-of-throne-red-woman-s6-e01-tv.html">The Red Woman (Ep1)</a> <br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-home-s6-e02-tv-review.html">Home (Ep2)</a><br />
- Oathbreaker (Ep3) - No Review<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-book-of-stranger-s6-e04.html">Book of the Stranger (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-door-s6-e05-tv-review.html">The Door (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-blood-of-my-blood-s6-e06.html">Blood of My Blood (Ep6)</a><br />
<br />
Season 5:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-wars-to-come-season-5.html">The Wars to Come (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-house-of-black-and.html">The House of Black and White (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-high-sparrow-season-5.html">High Sparrow (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-sons-of-harpy-season-5.html">Sons of the Harpy (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-kill-boy-season-5-ep-5.html">Kill the Boy (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-unbowed-unbent-unbroken.html">Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-gift-season-5-ep-7-tv.html">The Gift (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html">Hardhome (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html">The Dance of Dragons (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Season 4:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-two-swords-episode-1.html" target="_blank">Two Swords (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-lion-and-rose-episode-2.html" target="_blank">The Lion and the Rose (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-breaker-of-chains.html" target="_blank">Breaker of Chains (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-oathkeeper-episode-4.html" target="_blank">Oathkeeper (Ep4) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-first-of-his-name.html" target="_blank">The First of His Name (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-laws-of-gods-and-men.html" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men (Ep6) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-mockingbird-episode-7.html" target="_blank">Mockingbird (Ep7) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-mountain-and-viper.html" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-watchers-on-wall.html" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-children-episode-10.html">The Children (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-26459861700711986352016-05-30T01:35:00.004-06:002016-06-06T00:13:23.601-06:00Game of Throne "Blood of my Blood" (S6 - E06) [TV Review] <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p6cX__TbmW9z6SfL7YXYL9DxdNUewlCgHniYgxr4aOy5-VYPWrp-kn1j7WqBVfCx03JtcB-Otj_ffiyewFb6I_peKV4w6xzwSabftrAA0KjbO3R418gC_A2sCJ3N-K1xSwr7-gWbupgm/s1600/Dothraki-Army.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p6cX__TbmW9z6SfL7YXYL9DxdNUewlCgHniYgxr4aOy5-VYPWrp-kn1j7WqBVfCx03JtcB-Otj_ffiyewFb6I_peKV4w6xzwSabftrAA0KjbO3R418gC_A2sCJ3N-K1xSwr7-gWbupgm/s640/Dothraki-Army.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Well last episode had a haunting title, and this one is very very relevant to the episode. <br />
The writers have gotten titles down.<br />
Good.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YhKxjC8K-8QU9faHVylj5lsB2KdESb4T5N3bg4USf5A3VN09yYleeFMEU_I3LOlgu-ODdHI-MunmHFYO6uSmDNyWdC53mx8_7FHGy7YqxW2dZmNeNgoKCBU0nfDIhao4njP_-iEEke26/s1600/HighSparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YhKxjC8K-8QU9faHVylj5lsB2KdESb4T5N3bg4USf5A3VN09yYleeFMEU_I3LOlgu-ODdHI-MunmHFYO6uSmDNyWdC53mx8_7FHGy7YqxW2dZmNeNgoKCBU0nfDIhao4njP_-iEEke26/s400/HighSparrow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">On these steps stands one of my most hated characters.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Let me preface this by saying that this is probably my least favorite episode of the season. Which is really sad because with this episode we have moved into the later half of the season.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLTpzZ_6t3nqUATcA8yVAh0H-tqmZW59wEtya6zVAsIvEeCp3p3CDtUyjYRgHRPnVhcHQSt3PyuG7iRgtMQ50BDqj9w9FvIXBrCTqGZnR42OTzyt286teKtBuCtNrOnw15w-gobrA2ZPS/s1600/Three+n+Half-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLTpzZ_6t3nqUATcA8yVAh0H-tqmZW59wEtya6zVAsIvEeCp3p3CDtUyjYRgHRPnVhcHQSt3PyuG7iRgtMQ50BDqj9w9FvIXBrCTqGZnR42OTzyt286teKtBuCtNrOnw15w-gobrA2ZPS/s1600/Three+n+Half-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">3.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I almost gave this three stars but held off of going that low. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAGPmpUdIIhGfL1f4vBiuFyVXC0l0uABczEmDtd4GMe5KvCus70FzwHoJqBhF0N5heUMdfI-wtGnYS79r5YlByHZnvwJcUTRrZyEVwAWgbGua_De6GJXyQRk2lH1SeHBaSWSh-2cGNVEX/s1600/Stabbity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAGPmpUdIIhGfL1f4vBiuFyVXC0l0uABczEmDtd4GMe5KvCus70FzwHoJqBhF0N5heUMdfI-wtGnYS79r5YlByHZnvwJcUTRrZyEVwAWgbGua_De6GJXyQRk2lH1SeHBaSWSh-2cGNVEX/s400/Stabbity.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Come on! Bring forth the Stabbity! Stab Stab Stab! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Before we get to that:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">SPOILER WARNING!</span></b><br />
<br />
I almost feel that I should not need to write that. If you are here to read GoT reviews, on this site or on any other, you should damn well expect to have stuff spoiled. Watch the show, then read the reviews.<br />
<br />
Moving on.<br />
<br />
Now why did I find this episode so unsatisfying? <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAJWaQnWQeAXgsfw_E-t3iuL1yX4A-iWpJQVorpQE8R_C2HfNxPzNpquMgY8-JRD_CMNXwHEBroJ1ARvGbOSbxKiaQicKWglE8fe_Br8u2JBBjW4cgObhdraY4q4eQ3oW0j8QPY1IEjmF/s1600/TheStupidPlay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAJWaQnWQeAXgsfw_E-t3iuL1yX4A-iWpJQVorpQE8R_C2HfNxPzNpquMgY8-JRD_CMNXwHEBroJ1ARvGbOSbxKiaQicKWglE8fe_Br8u2JBBjW4cgObhdraY4q4eQ3oW0j8QPY1IEjmF/s400/TheStupidPlay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Even the show admits that the play is little more than<br />idiots and fart jokes. Good. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lets start with this.<br />
<br />
There was only 1 real death in this episode, and it was a death from 20+ years ago during Robert's Rebellion. Yep, the only 'new' death (aside from a few skeletons) is the Mad King Aerys at Jamie's hand. <br />
<br />
Okay, not every episode needs to be filled with death, but after last weeks tragic death (may Hodor rest in peace), it felt weaker.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVJWPeHBlHLEdA4WUsRTSkDyqKTEmYZ6MKlf-G7OLWwQt1WHAjilcDG-CmguntX0dgMk2QiFU3p9V5haMp0SNLvZfw1kzeQBc7f1SvUx0HdECHb5wmD5TD58eI2MLv6BbEISIadmn7cfI/s1600/Tarley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVJWPeHBlHLEdA4WUsRTSkDyqKTEmYZ6MKlf-G7OLWwQt1WHAjilcDG-CmguntX0dgMk2QiFU3p9V5haMp0SNLvZfw1kzeQBc7f1SvUx0HdECHb5wmD5TD58eI2MLv6BbEISIadmn7cfI/s400/Tarley.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Hello backstory man! We finally learn about Sam's<br />past. Many many seasons late.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now the opening with Bran, in all the jumbled flashbacks was very good. The episode began well. Mad King Aerys screaming "Burn them all!" Seeing pots of wildfire being filled. All good stuff.<br />
<br />
The arrival of Coldhands was cool too. His flaming morning star was impressive. <br />
<br />
The arrival at Horn Hill was appropriately uncomfortable, but strange. While it didn't match the books this was acceptable. We also eventually get Sam's background, we get to see his asshole father... and then Sam does something that seems utterly out of character.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuChtH80hr7x1eFMW9-1n7OSwEpMt_h4YV3cv4DQenG8pMJMoEs4G6CcjZmr-qmOi9gPCJD_DAs7VnM0fvkjoVtO0r_EU4pm2bRNdzf5jUIFq54MXcfBm9GjxqFV-0s8p8fGPQJp3IkNq/s1600/SamGilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuChtH80hr7x1eFMW9-1n7OSwEpMt_h4YV3cv4DQenG8pMJMoEs4G6CcjZmr-qmOi9gPCJD_DAs7VnM0fvkjoVtO0r_EU4pm2bRNdzf5jUIFq54MXcfBm9GjxqFV-0s8p8fGPQJp3IkNq/s400/SamGilly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Those two look really good together. Maybe one of the<br />best romances in the whole damn series. Scratch that.<br />It is the best.<br />Should I comment here?... Gilly really looks fetching with her hair done.<br />The dress bit is quite funny. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Why the frack would Sam take Heartsbane? It seems wholly out of character. He'd leave it for his brother... yes, he'd run out with Gilly and Little Sam, and maybe even take something else to help them survive. But Heartsbane? It seems wrong. I like Sam's line "He can bloody well try." But still... <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaRHaW10Ax4Gui90VaGEk9ouTm-p1gDL7NsyAt-7LQ_TYIGnjUuFHsTbOjvFY4RIlAGBHo4bm3KS8CiGb0f_46mdT5pEIEfnbdwsi-Me4KaqBM-BoiEnZX7CNz-ZY635pvqKeRvBSYD66/s1600/Daenerys-Targaryen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaRHaW10Ax4Gui90VaGEk9ouTm-p1gDL7NsyAt-7LQ_TYIGnjUuFHsTbOjvFY4RIlAGBHo4bm3KS8CiGb0f_46mdT5pEIEfnbdwsi-Me4KaqBM-BoiEnZX7CNz-ZY635pvqKeRvBSYD66/s400/Daenerys-Targaryen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">A choice. Return to Meereen, or go to the Seven Kingdoms.<br />The right choice is made, we're going to the Kingdoms!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But everything in Kingslanding was wrong and or sucked. Margaery is now broken by the High Sparrow, and is self-doubting and maybe even self-hating. Chalk this up to another reason I despise the High Sparrow, who has amazingly made it to the #1 spot of characters I want to die. Once that list was topped by Circei, but she's fallen a long way. <br />
<br />
#1 High Sparrow <br />
#2 Ramsay Bolton<br />
#3 Walder Frey (I still hate him even if he has not been seen very much).<br />
#4 Cercei Lannister<br />
#5 Euron Greyjoy (for being boring compared to what he should be)<br />
#6 The Waif (for being an asshole).<br />
#7 Tommen Baratheon (for sheer incompetence)<br />
#8 The actors in the shitty play. <br />
<br />
Am I missing anyone? Probably. <br />
<br />
Oh, that was quite an aside. Still. Kingslanding was all suck. <br />
The non-combat between the Tyrell forces and the Faith Militant was a let down. But Tommen has been listening to the High Sparrow's poison words as well... and has linked the Crown and the Faith together. And this is why Tommen is just such a shit king. He has no will nor ideas of his own... <br />
<br />
And don't get me started on Mace Tyrell's stupid armor. That was just so perfectly awful. It failed to fit properly, it was gaudy, and it was jsut such a stupid design. This was obviously on purpose and very fitting. Best part of the events in Kinglanding.<br />
<br />
Now the stuff with Jamie was a huge change from the books and that made me less than happy. Not the events that occurred, but the change in Jamie's character. In the books he was already engaged in the siege at Riverrun when Cersei makes her walk of atonement. In this he is not sent to the siege until after Tommen strips him of his position in the Kingsguard for "an attack on the faith is an attack on the crown". Tommen is such a shit king. No, what made this awful is that in the books, Jamie is tiring or tired of Cersei to the point where he ignores her pleas for help at Riverrun. He throws her letter in the fire or out a window... he ignores her, utterly. That is not the Jamie we are getting. <br />
<br />
And the whole thing in Braavos with the idiot play. This is just so awful. Arya stays in character... as she has always seemed to want only vengeance / justice. The idea of her just killing a person who does not deserve / want death (or in a fight) seems... actually out of character. So I like that she does not carry out the poisoning. But everything else from the (historically accurate) misogyny, to the hateful Waif were less than impressive. But at least Arya had the presence of mind to retrieve Needle - with luck she shall slay the Waif.<br />
<br />
Now in the riverlands, at the Twins, we return at long last to Walder Frey. He is berating his idiot sons for losing The Blackfish. This scene is good enough. His sons are idiots, and its kinda funny. I still hate Walder Frey... but at least he earned his hate through his actions and not his idiocy. I'd rather hate a character for his actions than because he is an abject moron... <br />
Tommen is a shit king.<br />
Edmure Tully returns for the first time since season three. Good for him... or bad for him. Because if you've read the books you know what is coming for him. (He is going to be very bored, but in pain as well.)<br />
<br />
There is a short scene where Mira, Bran, and Coldhands have a conversation. It reveals who Coldhands is... and he is Benjen Stark. Which confused the daylights out of me because I read a while back that GRRM actualyl flat out said that Coldhands was NOT Benjen... (<a href="http://www.people.com/article/song-ice-fire-benjen-stark-coldhands-george-r-r-martin">Link Here</a>). <br />
<br />
And now the Quote: "Is this Benjen? I think it's Benjen … :) And does Bran never recognize
him [as his long lost uncle] because he never sees his face fully?" (Oh, here's an image: <a href="http://imgur.com/FfI1goA">Link</a>.) <br />
<br />
Now this could possibly be interpreted to mean that the reason Bran does not recognize him is NOT due to the fact that Bran has not seen his face fully... but that's kinda stretching it, I think. Then again Martin could just have been pulling his editors leg, which seems like a silly thing to do, but... well... who knows. Maybe Bran does not recognize him in the books because the transformation was much more extreme... <br />
<br />
If we had book 6, maybe we would know. (Where is book 6?!?)<br />
<br />
And the episode ends on Daenerys making the wise decision to not go back to Meereen... which I suppose sucks for Tyrion. Really sucks for Tyrion. <br />
<br />
Still the episode did not have a very strong impact, and I really do not like the direction Jamie's character is going compared to the books.<br />
<br />
Boy after writing all that... maybe I really should have given it 3 stars. Still the opening was good... <br />
<br />
Here's hoping next week is better. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYLZ9Sj6u4eRfOxeKVpk_TBlbEqHzJI6zHsV-CT01DG9Sb6e0Fe-WkpfsO2UPRVGVsgxLNViZb6iL8yZ-khZiuUn1P3dYWRfkr0Dgnj4ChDjzMwOt8BEjiByUbsjNLUQ_CPu7FNEO2EcV/s1600/Benjen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYLZ9Sj6u4eRfOxeKVpk_TBlbEqHzJI6zHsV-CT01DG9Sb6e0Fe-WkpfsO2UPRVGVsgxLNViZb6iL8yZ-khZiuUn1P3dYWRfkr0Dgnj4ChDjzMwOt8BEjiByUbsjNLUQ_CPu7FNEO2EcV/s640/Benjen.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Remember me? I was in season one... and then... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>Death Count for season six episode six, <i>Blood of My Blood</i>:</b></u><br />
-The Mad King Aerys Targaryen II (in Bran's flashback of madness).<br />
<br />
<b>Previous<i> Game of Thrones</i> reviews:</b><br />
<u><br /></u>
Season 6:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/04/game-of-throne-red-woman-s6-e01-tv.html">The Red Woman (Ep1)</a> <br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-home-s6-e02-tv-review.html">Home (Ep2)</a><br />
- Oathbreaker (Ep3) - No Review<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-book-of-stranger-s6-e04.html">Book of the Stranger (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-door-s6-e05-tv-review.html">The Door (Ep5)</a><br />
<br />
Season 5:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-wars-to-come-season-5.html">The Wars to Come (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-house-of-black-and.html">The House of Black and White (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-high-sparrow-season-5.html">High Sparrow (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-sons-of-harpy-season-5.html">Sons of the Harpy (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-kill-boy-season-5-ep-5.html">Kill the Boy (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-unbowed-unbent-unbroken.html">Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-gift-season-5-ep-7-tv.html">The Gift (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html">Hardhome (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html">The Dance of Dragons (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Season 4:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-two-swords-episode-1.html" target="_blank">Two Swords (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-lion-and-rose-episode-2.html" target="_blank">The Lion and the Rose (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-breaker-of-chains.html" target="_blank">Breaker of Chains (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-oathkeeper-episode-4.html" target="_blank">Oathkeeper (Ep4) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-first-of-his-name.html" target="_blank">The First of His Name (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-laws-of-gods-and-men.html" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men (Ep6) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-mockingbird-episode-7.html" target="_blank">Mockingbird (Ep7) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-mountain-and-viper.html" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-watchers-on-wall.html" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-children-episode-10.html">The Children (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-53396117059769420422016-05-27T22:54:00.000-06:002016-05-27T23:08:47.608-06:00X-Men Apocalypse [Movie Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcM_m5Qfy1w-eBlnzRnCnEIFANGNhr_-7T5Mg5j25Y949BNfG3cKV9ir3MuzsF3bkCDws-778qM3ZRJiA2-XdsAbe-qlFHHVoke0P7ZhUQElfJDTqJogbi2fjTRH93c9woyrGdp4R1sB1/s1600/Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcM_m5Qfy1w-eBlnzRnCnEIFANGNhr_-7T5Mg5j25Y949BNfG3cKV9ir3MuzsF3bkCDws-778qM3ZRJiA2-XdsAbe-qlFHHVoke0P7ZhUQElfJDTqJogbi2fjTRH93c9woyrGdp4R1sB1/s640/Poster.jpg" width="433" /></a></div>
Ah, summer blockbuster movies. So much fun. <br />
I kinda wish I had watched both <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men:_First_Class"><i>First Class</i></a> and <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/x-men-days-of-future-past-movie-review.html"><i>Days of Future Past</i></a> before seeing this... just so they were fresh in my mind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCB-vJ938QYhyphenhyphenH3QcQM_aWXKXku1ijHMBJOr_wQlQAWJNa0TvpAIog4JC4j-f0DopDm0zxEejGcVRXg0m2hq2JjUecopyOAObF3HMDZOFSk-D4WPaATx6Ust5kXjtqm3ty2wJIz6HPrAD/s1600/new-mutants-xmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCB-vJ938QYhyphenhyphenH3QcQM_aWXKXku1ijHMBJOr_wQlQAWJNa0TvpAIog4JC4j-f0DopDm0zxEejGcVRXg0m2hq2JjUecopyOAObF3HMDZOFSk-D4WPaATx6Ust5kXjtqm3ty2wJIz6HPrAD/s400/new-mutants-xmen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Important role, not even named, and important role. <br />Way to go movie. C'mon man, give her some more screen time and lines.</span></td></tr>
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At least my failure to watch those movies again did not detract from the experience. I imagine that it might have added to it, just a bit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
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This was a very fun movie. <br />
There were some fun themes.<br />
The action was great, and there are some very funny moments.<br />
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But there were just a few things that could have been better.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjTAcc_VouY34vdVCVm6aIu85L5kCFfncQuWP7JyDG7RjwNpiB_dphwhcLS68Ee3vNbDSeARkxg8iSKQ7azee9jwnG9s9zvnq3lFwNvePld7An3TZB3pGb80RFzNTHuy0SIS3dmDVNda3/s1600/JenLaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjTAcc_VouY34vdVCVm6aIu85L5kCFfncQuWP7JyDG7RjwNpiB_dphwhcLS68Ee3vNbDSeARkxg8iSKQ7azee9jwnG9s9zvnq3lFwNvePld7An3TZB3pGb80RFzNTHuy0SIS3dmDVNda3/s400/JenLaw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I like Jennifer Lawrence better in this than <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-hunger-games-catching-fire-movie.html"><i>Hunger Games</i></a>. <br />I think her character is actually deeper in X-men.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMUsdobN0pNrSg6o_p8Wj08TRbHXtoBrhoywi6Y2UIqj5wfdyF1EIhvTFG4oVGCZnEARqziWj5iJObjWqR0WstRgi8FrikWlqaakhKzZFawrvgIUGPM5qlvO04g5V0kkrhOMfEkwSjxZ2/s1600/QSrunning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMUsdobN0pNrSg6o_p8Wj08TRbHXtoBrhoywi6Y2UIqj5wfdyF1EIhvTFG4oVGCZnEARqziWj5iJObjWqR0WstRgi8FrikWlqaakhKzZFawrvgIUGPM5qlvO04g5V0kkrhOMfEkwSjxZ2/s400/QSrunning.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I love the Quicksilver speed scenes. So awesome and funny!</span></td></tr>
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Lets start with the good.<br />
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Oh yeah... <br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>SPOILER WARNING!</b></span><br />
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The good things:<br />
<b>1.</b> Any and all scenes with Quicksilver. Especially the running scenes. He's great. It's kinda too bad that in the MCU they had to have him shot dead. Thankfully he looks like he has a good spot in the X-men movies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvTrdTBuS3RmpqQ97zoAI5r3vxq96tl0i8xsSxbcXEvtharIZj1wu9kMucm9qpXnNJ3oI2Fd5vVW3ydprkD-lHDTqkDEge2uZJ2Zgye55UHdOugGhmCogHSy9CiAtWQsDPoauHy9BB-MR/s1600/X-Men-Apocalypse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvTrdTBuS3RmpqQ97zoAI5r3vxq96tl0i8xsSxbcXEvtharIZj1wu9kMucm9qpXnNJ3oI2Fd5vVW3ydprkD-lHDTqkDEge2uZJ2Zgye55UHdOugGhmCogHSy9CiAtWQsDPoauHy9BB-MR/s400/X-Men-Apocalypse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Big Apocalypse. From the Trailer... everyone's seen this already.</span></td></tr>
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<b>2.</b> New actors in old roles. I actually like the kid who plays Scott (Cyclops). He does a good job in the role. I even accept Sophie Turner as Jean Grey. Sure it is hard to disconnect her from her role as Sansa Stark in <i>Game of Thrones</i>... but she does well enough in the role. I like the new Kurt Wagner too.<br />
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<b>3.</b> The ancient Egypt stuff. Always fun. Possibly why I enjoyed <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/04/gods-of-egypt-movie-review.html"><i>Gods of Egyp</i>t</a> as much as I did.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Cfyh3G8aVWQen8KfSLnoBEGfr6MVUgj8k5I_6PIajohN16FbkVmKdp7V74VbtrDWkSibIhnyGarhCzRna-HDDex8FbTmzZXlxXGCWbbYEf1PkfnCSP45anzjdrjXO_PlSSQ4gcyMn54r/s1600/x-men-apocalypse-wolverine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Cfyh3G8aVWQen8KfSLnoBEGfr6MVUgj8k5I_6PIajohN16FbkVmKdp7V74VbtrDWkSibIhnyGarhCzRna-HDDex8FbTmzZXlxXGCWbbYEf1PkfnCSP45anzjdrjXO_PlSSQ4gcyMn54r/s400/x-men-apocalypse-wolverine.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">It's 'Sir-barely-appearing-in-this-film.' </span></td></tr>
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<b>4. </b>The overall plot is strong enough. However there is a codicil coming later... the action is certainly good. The humor is very funny. I laughed quite a bit during the movie. They certainly knew when to alter up the pace with humor. It made a good counter point with the action and the expository scenes. <br />
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<b>5.</b> Mind over Muscles. I don't want to say more... but it is a theme of the movie. I know I said Spoilers, but some things I'm going to keep quiet about.<br />
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6. Unexpected roles. Not a lot of this, but some of this occured and I liked it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rQJphQRpexHpIZphcuK5zldn2fKMUqNwOl4NRzdCBje5VJNXDz97peDkO4gtxQO5XK9T3dvMMMphsC1R3kMZFtHLX1sDYv2LGi7UPHgS04ie9TD9U5KTAr_CZdmc39-B3Z2mCfyyMjlY/s1600/X-Men-Apocalypse-Four-Horsemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rQJphQRpexHpIZphcuK5zldn2fKMUqNwOl4NRzdCBje5VJNXDz97peDkO4gtxQO5XK9T3dvMMMphsC1R3kMZFtHLX1sDYv2LGi7UPHgS04ie9TD9U5KTAr_CZdmc39-B3Z2mCfyyMjlY/s400/X-Men-Apocalypse-Four-Horsemen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">It's the Four Horsemen... but who is who? <br />Which is Famine, Pestilence, War, or Death? </span></td></tr>
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Now the Not so Good:<br />
<br />
<b>1.</b> In spite of all the build up to Oliva Munn's Psylocke, her character was not given much depth. I was sad about this. They really could have done more with her... and perhaps they are saving that for another film, but there needed to be more depth to her character. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCHhiGq4beNujVwf8Zkp7wRq8t1Q0V9pZKDb4Jn4ORxvRMeAOKEuoq4mkFQKdQ9WQS_X2G3W7VoPS9MhHvYfEjWZfCXSXZY_SaXXmTPv_k01mQPQmS2TI6281kcBdgZYYZSS-KOSJOAGB/s1600/Nuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCHhiGq4beNujVwf8Zkp7wRq8t1Q0V9pZKDb4Jn4ORxvRMeAOKEuoq4mkFQKdQ9WQS_X2G3W7VoPS9MhHvYfEjWZfCXSXZY_SaXXmTPv_k01mQPQmS2TI6281kcBdgZYYZSS-KOSJOAGB/s400/Nuk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This is just a spectacular scene with an awesome ending.</span> </td></tr>
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<b>2.</b> But leads us into the biggest issue. Very flat villains. Apocalypse, Arch Angel, and Psylocke are very flat. So is the military dude whose name I shall not mention. The other two have some depth. Magneto has the most because he has the build up of the prior two movies to help... they do add more here as well, but it helped with the prior movies.<br />
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<b>3.</b> The flat villains leads to something else. The movie goes by rather quickly for two and half hours. No seriously... I could have gladly sat for another half an hour for a bit more depth to the villains. I really wish they had given us more depth. Supposedly Apocalypse is like one of the biggest baddest villains in X-men comics (not that I've read them), but we really needed a bit more enlightenment on him. More of the past would have helped. More depth to Psylocke would have been nice.<br />
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That being said, yes the movie is fun. <br />
It has it's problems, but all of the X-men movies have had some issues. They are still fun, and collectively they are certainly a good series. I look forward to whatever t is they teased at the end of this film. Yes, you need to sit through the very long credits for the post credits scene. Do it. Hold your bladder and wait for the end.<br />
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Oh, I've got one more thing to say. <br />
Is Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) the single most shat upon character in all of X-men? I mean yes Logan has it bad, and so does Charles Xavier in many ways... but seriously Erik constantly gets the short end of the stick. His life has just been a living hell (from the loss of his parents at Auschwitz to what happens in this movie), so it is easy to understand his villain motivations. Life keeps on shitting on him, not even giving him lemons - lemons would be great compared to what Erik gets. You really feel for him, even as a villain, he is understandable and relatable. <br />
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I completely advocate seeing this movie. <br />
<br />
Go see it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCsHD-icPhPmhjsfviBtxiYM1BfOe7BZ4Qmq4_NgATGwzm1YfCz8tv550y4uaeL7poeICjQZ6EEZJzOyQzhc-UJuKx0PbzxoXGCiNPufzH9IQpIP7bCTiGOrngx1x1nzyWMfk-3SyrAFK/s1600/Sameguy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCsHD-icPhPmhjsfviBtxiYM1BfOe7BZ4Qmq4_NgATGwzm1YfCz8tv550y4uaeL7poeICjQZ6EEZJzOyQzhc-UJuKx0PbzxoXGCiNPufzH9IQpIP7bCTiGOrngx1x1nzyWMfk-3SyrAFK/s640/Sameguy.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This is the same guy in two roles. He is Apocalypse in this and Poe Dameron from <i><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-movie-review.html">The Force Awakens</a>.</i> <br />He was also in <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/07/ex-machina-movie-review.html"><i>Ex-Machina</i></a>. Yeah... </span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-45274217880399983132016-05-23T01:59:00.000-06:002016-05-30T01:35:50.499-06:00Game of Throne "The Door" (S6 - E05) [TV Review] <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mother have mercy on us all! <br />
The was quite an episode, was it not?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This was nothing at all like the Kingsmoot in the books... nothing!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
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I'm going to do my very best to avoid just giving a synopsis - because so much amazing stuff occured in this episode. At the same time, be very warned - <br />
<span style="color: red;">THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD!</span><br />
<br />
I am so mad that I cannot give this episode a full 5 stars... again for some really nitpicky crap that bothered me. <br />
Let me start with the Kingsmoot. I know that there was probably no way that they could have pulled off the book version in the ribs of a giant sea beast. But they could have tried something. There was none of the careful manipulations of the book version. This was boring. Also, Euron Greyjoy, the Crow's Eye is supposed to have only one eye - the left socket covered by a patch. His lips are blue because he drinks shade of the evening (the same stuff the warlocks drink). He is the captain of the Silence, a ship whose crew have had their tongues removed. He is supposed to travel with a menagerie of freaks and has the 'Dragon Horn' (which is sounded during the Kingsmoot - killing the sounder). All of that spectacle is gone. All of it. He does not even wear an eye patch. I know this is nit-picky but damn it I really really wanted some of the spectacle written about in the book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOEVzTB68JpCkZdp1q4PwPmDbn-E9UVqsishVUZOVMV_BMKxp7XJpz8ol6uSFjLruITGDSfPhKZRRZ_XdtXA1PSSJRFWiHWNGDNyOAzutFQ6YcPnro5NPo2ViABS-9RSlHsOn3aKdOwZc/s1600/HallofFaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOEVzTB68JpCkZdp1q4PwPmDbn-E9UVqsishVUZOVMV_BMKxp7XJpz8ol6uSFjLruITGDSfPhKZRRZ_XdtXA1PSSJRFWiHWNGDNyOAzutFQ6YcPnro5NPo2ViABS-9RSlHsOn3aKdOwZc/s400/HallofFaces.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Creepy creepy Hall of Faces. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsr8iOsAmS189P5T-AWE-XfsBq8J8m-ZfFyzhoslcnuglpM5YOvCSzUtaavxAg55iod-OOALxsXkdvELmDLDo4uszT66KvGQcdGVZLYfIBQ6QkBWsgEVj8MqAJcrw2Q_yE-TX3aYIWshd/s1600/children-of-the-forrest-game-of-thrones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsr8iOsAmS189P5T-AWE-XfsBq8J8m-ZfFyzhoslcnuglpM5YOvCSzUtaavxAg55iod-OOALxsXkdvELmDLDo4uszT66KvGQcdGVZLYfIBQ6QkBWsgEVj8MqAJcrw2Q_yE-TX3aYIWshd/s400/children-of-the-forrest-game-of-thrones.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">J'accuse!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7vETomPg7xQsXYzSf12Akpx07DANZpajGOsMnY2_ss2Q99w-P9DTWzwgaQ1LxF1ixEuAK-fD6fUdZX6Qzi6_OQN20jd3yCQAaXQ73vRGXdmsixyL3N5UXlsfqcFHYcbH8ygrJJ-Ry1om/s1600/New+REd+Preistess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7vETomPg7xQsXYzSf12Akpx07DANZpajGOsMnY2_ss2Q99w-P9DTWzwgaQ1LxF1ixEuAK-fD6fUdZX6Qzi6_OQN20jd3yCQAaXQ73vRGXdmsixyL3N5UXlsfqcFHYcbH8ygrJJ-Ry1om/s400/New+REd+Preistess.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Oh good. Another Red Priestess. I wonder how old this one really is?</span></td></tr>
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The second is the play in Bravos. I kinda felt the way Arya felt... it was so juvenile (I suppose that was intentional, but I didn't really like it.)<br />
<br />
Enough grousing. <br />
<br />
There was a lot that was very good. <br />
<br />
Some of the absolutely shocking freaking reveals were just so unexpected.<br />
<br />
I guess I'll warn you again.<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>SPOILERS AHEAD!</b></span><br />
<br />
The very fact that the children of the forest were the ones who first created the White Walkers was so unexpected. I did not see that coming at all... not one bit. I assumed that they were in someway a natural force that arose in whatever messed up cosmology that surrounds GRRM's world. This was astonishing.<br />
<br />
My next favorite scene was the one where Varys was literally rendered speechless by a new Red Priestess. She knew things about him that he was not expecting to have revealed... he was literally aghast. His expression was perfect. Stunned, shocked, horrified silence. <br />
<br />
I've never seen nor read about Varys in such a state. <br />
<br />
But what the hell did he hear as his 'parts' burned in the fire? What? Tell us damn you! <br />
<br />
The last most epic scene was two fold. We have been told (in the books at least - I'll admit sometimes I cannot help but refer to them) that those who see with a third eye, or at least those who see through the werewood, are not bound by time. So there was a question... can the past be affected by the actions of one who see through trees? After Bran shouted at his father, and his father turned... it appeared as if Bran can affect the past. Today we learned that was absolutely true. What is this going to mean for the future? I'm still hoping beyond all hope that we get to see inside the Tower of Joy, we've seen the Showdown at the Red Mountains - now show us what Ned Stark and Howland Reed saw. We must know. <br />
<br />
We learned where Hodor got the name Hodor and why.<br />
In the present he was told to "Hold the Door." <br />
And in the past, his younger self was attacked by a seizure in which he repeats over and over and over and over that phrase - "Hold the Door." <br />
And he holds the door. <br />
He holds the damn door.<br />
He dies holding the door so that Bran and Mira can flee into the snow storm. <br />
<br />
Damn it. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_cdgOmF0dB_3ufNmuGb4pehn-7iSih3eFpTcUVkXkWNfrrEerHWI1KMtJhyO93d-GS0no8lawp1pC4ZNjPDtPxI4WwHtQMQ59gR46WuO0_l3twLnLzwjtBop4cpIWkWzfnLFUC8p7Vb1/s1600/Hodor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_cdgOmF0dB_3ufNmuGb4pehn-7iSih3eFpTcUVkXkWNfrrEerHWI1KMtJhyO93d-GS0no8lawp1pC4ZNjPDtPxI4WwHtQMQ59gR46WuO0_l3twLnLzwjtBop4cpIWkWzfnLFUC8p7Vb1/s640/Hodor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">In Memory of Hodor.<br />Hodor. <br />"Hold the Door."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That was a very good episode. <br />
But now lets take a look at who died in it. <br />
<br />
<u><b>Death Count for season six episode five, <i>The Door</i>:</b></u><br />
- The Three-Eyed Raven<br />
- Summer (damn them all... that only leaves 2 wolves: Ghost and Nymeria).<br />
- A White Walker<br />
- Leaf and three other Children of the Forest<br />
- Wylis "Hodor"<br />
<br />
<b>Previous<i> Game of Thrones</i> reviews:</b><br />
<u><br /></u>
Season 6:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/04/game-of-throne-red-woman-s6-e01-tv.html">The Red Woman (Ep1)</a> <br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-home-s6-e02-tv-review.html">Home (Ep2)</a><br />
- Oathbreaker (Ep3) - No Review<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-book-of-stranger-s6-e04.html">Book of the Stranger (Ep4)</a><br />
<br />
Season 5:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-wars-to-come-season-5.html">The Wars to Come (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-house-of-black-and.html">The House of Black and White (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-high-sparrow-season-5.html">High Sparrow (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-sons-of-harpy-season-5.html">Sons of the Harpy (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-kill-boy-season-5-ep-5.html">Kill the Boy (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-unbowed-unbent-unbroken.html">Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-gift-season-5-ep-7-tv.html">The Gift (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html">Hardhome (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html">The Dance of Dragons (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Season 4:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-two-swords-episode-1.html" target="_blank">Two Swords (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-lion-and-rose-episode-2.html" target="_blank">The Lion and the Rose (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-breaker-of-chains.html" target="_blank">Breaker of Chains (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-oathkeeper-episode-4.html" target="_blank">Oathkeeper (Ep4) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-first-of-his-name.html" target="_blank">The First of His Name (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-laws-of-gods-and-men.html" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men (Ep6) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-mockingbird-episode-7.html" target="_blank">Mockingbird (Ep7) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-mountain-and-viper.html" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-watchers-on-wall.html" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-children-episode-10.html">The Children (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-25356664923443367002016-05-16T01:06:00.001-06:002016-05-23T01:50:29.609-06:00Game of Throne "Book of the Stranger" (S6 - E04) [TV Review] <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT3oe55U242YcwjkXCg8s3PD5YFB_SjKEeZODuNcfUDxYwZT3kPjQf3MVn0AZ1K23IIymSCP7eFDpTtXo7DMySvSzPAmEksr58ElE3Oh3nRWTxuJFeGRNFYr0WrezmhDeq-o_6q4WkFkD/s1600/Longclaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT3oe55U242YcwjkXCg8s3PD5YFB_SjKEeZODuNcfUDxYwZT3kPjQf3MVn0AZ1K23IIymSCP7eFDpTtXo7DMySvSzPAmEksr58ElE3Oh3nRWTxuJFeGRNFYr0WrezmhDeq-o_6q4WkFkD/s640/Longclaw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This episode surprised me.<br />
A lot happened, things actually have begun to move forward. Not everything... but enough. <br />
And we keep returning to events from book 3... <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL29uCTT_PSwl_MW1n87PJW0Z7-hPZC4ReKRCUKh3h94iXNp0vBfJa0gdEVv2yuau0ZmOA2i-ulp0LgYX3IZ5nEdP1v7TYAF-YavW3FsEYOEvce896VJ-tgaW8fW28waK3_TWAB8ePUAa9/s1600/BSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL29uCTT_PSwl_MW1n87PJW0Z7-hPZC4ReKRCUKh3h94iXNp0vBfJa0gdEVv2yuau0ZmOA2i-ulp0LgYX3IZ5nEdP1v7TYAF-YavW3FsEYOEvce896VJ-tgaW8fW28waK3_TWAB8ePUAa9/s400/BSP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Not completely sure why their arrival shocked me. <br />I guess I thought we'd see more travel scenes... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This was one of the better Game of Thrones episodes I've seen... and I realized something. The action was rather limited. Aside from two quick stabbings and some arson, there was not all that much action. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gDmxEOOhMI11SMe5XxPhvq4e6YrnpHLO6X1SBSipLr_Tco1Q6UbEpc-kmvms9EfoLyvusWs1pBVS-tEkCI7NcZev0UtTGCOwFLaxGT6ir7fH_zeK-lmhkqvwViq-TeXJSwJkqXzMC5ob/s1600/SansaJon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gDmxEOOhMI11SMe5XxPhvq4e6YrnpHLO6X1SBSipLr_Tco1Q6UbEpc-kmvms9EfoLyvusWs1pBVS-tEkCI7NcZev0UtTGCOwFLaxGT6ir7fH_zeK-lmhkqvwViq-TeXJSwJkqXzMC5ob/s400/SansaJon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This is the first time since Rob met up with his mother that we've seen<br />two Starks re-united. (Even though I do not believe that Jon is actually<br />Ned's bastard... but hopefully we'll see more of that this season).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However I still cannot give it a full five stars. There are two issues to talk about... but I'll get to those later. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's your one and only <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>SPOILER ALERT</b></span>. </span><br />
<br />
We actually get to witness one of the more touching scenes in all of Game of Thrones. Actual family moments, with real feeling and apologies and humor. We do not get to see this side of the characters very often. There is some tension, but still... scenes like this are few and far between. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfCFIVuTY1wtFhwu9FPOAbXB9HNCFgOUqkW1E5YSNIDVxaiVh0-pth4vBOKZDO1YvL_khSwBV6W8lr2H8rEjxfpKykiD_1PYRydndDLzGGkSo4HLwtvY4zRxSFOr6bxsgpg7rOzR1rFh4/s1600/Robbin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfCFIVuTY1wtFhwu9FPOAbXB9HNCFgOUqkW1E5YSNIDVxaiVh0-pth4vBOKZDO1YvL_khSwBV6W8lr2H8rEjxfpKykiD_1PYRydndDLzGGkSo4HLwtvY4zRxSFOr6bxsgpg7rOzR1rFh4/s400/Robbin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Ah yes... Robin Arryn. This kid still bugs me deeply. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jon and Sansa are talking about the day they left Winterfell and Sansa says, "I want to scream at myself, 'Don't go you idiot!'" A sentiment that was echoed by many readers and watchers alike in the early seasons. Well... just calling Sansa an idiot in the early season really. Because she was a spectacular idiot. She has come a long way. She has had one of the best character growths in the series so far. <br />
<br />
And oh shit do we have a nest of people who have issues all lumped together. Brienne hates the Red Woman, who is no longer loyal to Stannis (but that's okay, he's dead at Brienne's hand). Brienne admits to executing Stannis in front of Davos so there is bound to be some animosity there, and once he finds out that the Red Woman burned Shireen... well, she might die at his hand. We'll have to see how this pack of animosity turns out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvfU2ECqoTMbZV7IyxrlfyPsmJzgqAPK-6RhVav9NC7RVTxtpb5l2ZrUmzbAdmElUxecnIMdBZJBJBCjQfZuq79ZlVpKxtjjViNJ8qMe3x6MVedgIVHJsBBVy5SGtI6Kyfbr0KICwVf-z/s1600/Yara+and+Theon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvfU2ECqoTMbZV7IyxrlfyPsmJzgqAPK-6RhVav9NC7RVTxtpb5l2ZrUmzbAdmElUxecnIMdBZJBJBCjQfZuq79ZlVpKxtjjViNJ8qMe3x6MVedgIVHJsBBVy5SGtI6Kyfbr0KICwVf-z/s400/Yara+and+Theon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Another uncomfortable family meeting... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyqTxHmbyurr6N4thmocOM-VSsKmh0bVRznDvUsGLBQ6IJFVpJCki9mveaXODJ-LWJ6TkGqX2evPUnZOAQarCFlKHmonq5VjbiWV5WeLclAi201FyS83Cdn_zglYmJwlwDPw8q9EQNsdb/s1600/VandT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyqTxHmbyurr6N4thmocOM-VSsKmh0bVRznDvUsGLBQ6IJFVpJCki9mveaXODJ-LWJ6TkGqX2evPUnZOAQarCFlKHmonq5VjbiWV5WeLclAi201FyS83Cdn_zglYmJwlwDPw8q9EQNsdb/s400/VandT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Is Tyrion pissing away what Daenerys has fought for, or is he actually<br />securing it. This is going to be interesting... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, then. Is this the first episode we've seen Petyr Baelish in this season? I also think he missed out on the last few episodes of season 5... meaning it has been six episodes at least since we've been graced with his scheming personality. He's been missed. <br />
<br />
The question becomes - is he doing what he is doing, plotting a war between the Arryns and the Boltons for Sansa's sake or for yet another hidden purpose? So hard to tell with him. But that is what makes his character so damned good. <br />
<br />
I was kinda shocked by the whole scene with Tyrion in Meereen. He was very political... which is precisely his skill set. But I cannot see Daenerys being even slightly happy with this direction... so this whole thing could blow up in his face.<br />
<br />
The best part of the whole Daario and Jorah scene was Daario telling Jorah that he would not survive riding the Dragon and him not meaning any of the three giant lizards. Oh, and the bit where Daario kissed the ass of the naked woman on the hilt of his dagger. So very Daario. Jorah fingers appear to be slowly going grey as well... he is not going to have a happy end. Everything in this scene is very much in the way I perceive Daario. From his lethality to his libido. I just wish he had the colorful beard he wears in the books... that would be crazy. <br />
Just one damn complaint. It was way too easy for Daario and Jorah to find Daenerys. Yes... they know that she would be in the temple... but they were just TV lucky to be the right place when she went to 'make water.' Such a little thing, but so bothersome. <br />
<br />
I still hate the High Sparrow with all of my being. <br />
His little speech he gives to Margaery can be boiled down to something very simple. <br />
He tells the story as thus: he worked hard, partied hard, lived a wild life. He threw a feast, and invited friends. They partied hard drinking and debauchery through the night. When he awoke, before everyone else, he saw them in their nakedness. He smelled them. They were no different than the beggars and poor he was trying to escape from. <br />
So what does his little speech boil down to? <br />
It's a lie. Plain and simple. (No I do not know this factually - but the motivations are a lie). Let me elaborate on this. He worked, partied, and lived wildly. Now that he feels that time is over for him, he enters religion and what does he do with religion? Make sure no one can do what he did. It's a classic case of 'Do as I say, not what I did.' I may have been living it up, may have had fun and finery, but now that I'm religious my only goal is to ensure that you cannot live it up, that you cannot have fun and finery. I call this the 'I've got mine, eff you' attitude. <br />
<br />
So for once, I actually support House Lannister in ending the High Sparrow. But I fear that this is more Lannister backstabbing. No matter what occurs, I expect that somehow this is going to get Tommen killed. Not sure I care... he's a weak king. <br />
<br />
There's a touch of talk on Pyke... Theon returns and says he will support Yara's claim for the throne. I'm not sure that will help her much.<br />
<br />
Ramsay is Ramsay... I'm waiting for him to get his comeuppance. That will probably not be soon in coming. Seems like that might be a season ending event. Right now he may well be the most evil character in the series. (I'd also like to see Walder Fray get his comeuppance as well...)<br />
<br />
Did anyone else think that Tormund Giantsbane was making eyes at Brienne of Tarth over dinner? Dolorous Edd certainly seemed to think so... I personally thought it was very funny. Of course this scene was all about setting up the coming battle between Jon and Ramsay, or so we can hope. Also, Jon looks somewhat weird with short slicked back hair. I kinda miss Kit Harrington have uncontrolled wild black locks. I wonder if this will somehow bring White Harbor back into the scheme of things... It does look as if an Army from the Wall and an Army from the Vale are both going to be marching on Winterfel. Good.<br />
<br />
And then at last we come to the Khalar Vezhven, or a meeting between Khals, to decide on the fate of Daenerys. Will they sell her to the Wise Masers of Yunkai, or shall she join the Dash Khaleen? <br />
Neither. <br />
Instead she's going to burn them, and walk out of the fire unscathed. <br />
<br />
Now I swear that somewhere I read that GRRM had said that was a one time power of hers. I could be wrong, and honestly do not care. This worked. Well it almost worked... save for one thing.<br />
Why were the dirt floors so fast to catch fire? I thought about this long and hard... and what I came up with was the idea that perhaps Jorah and Daario prepared the floors beforehand. Daenerys did say that none of them would get out alive... perhaps this was her plan? She told them that she needed help... I guess they must have prepared the room. That's about the only explanation I can think of aside from magic gasoline soaked floors. <br />
<br />
It needed just a tiny touch more exposition to be clear. I like the result, as it moves the story forward again, but we needed something to fill the gap there.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPuwQc6c0ogw6_AzHwPIt0vgfK332qxWi9M9ObegiimzUFhp3ptogKTga2G8N-CD2AqIDqB5_Wls7YZswZSFMaD78BHnwgVJBtfzBEmJAcKaNF5q_mUdKpgHmRDgsyDqT6byjilFNUv52/s1600/Dashkahleen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPuwQc6c0ogw6_AzHwPIt0vgfK332qxWi9M9ObegiimzUFhp3ptogKTga2G8N-CD2AqIDqB5_Wls7YZswZSFMaD78BHnwgVJBtfzBEmJAcKaNF5q_mUdKpgHmRDgsyDqT6byjilFNUv52/s1600/Dashkahleen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I thought Emilia Clarke had it in her contract that she did not have to <br />do any more topless scenes. Maybe she failed to mention full frontal?<br /><a href="http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/15/game-thrones-emilia-clarke-dany">Here's some more info on that...</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>Death Count for season six episode four, <i>Book of the Stranger</i>:</b></u><br />
- Aggo (a Bloodrider)<br />
- Some other Dothraki with Aggo.<br />
- Khal Moro<br />
- Khal Rhalko<br />
- Khal Forzo<br />
- 10 other Khals (roughly). <br />
- Osha (Asha in the books), the Wildling woman protecting Rickon. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Previous<i> Game of Thrones</i> reviews:</b><br />
<u><br /></u>
Season 6:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/04/game-of-throne-red-woman-s6-e01-tv.html">The Red Woman (Ep1)</a> <br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-of-throne-home-s6-e02-tv-review.html">Home (Ep2)</a><br />
- Oathbreaker (Ep3) - No Review<br />
<br />
Season 5:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-wars-to-come-season-5.html">The Wars to Come (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-house-of-black-and.html">The House of Black and White (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-high-sparrow-season-5.html">High Sparrow (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-sons-of-harpy-season-5.html">Sons of the Harpy (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-kill-boy-season-5-ep-5.html">Kill the Boy (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-unbowed-unbent-unbroken.html">Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-gift-season-5-ep-7-tv.html">The Gift (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html">Hardhome (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html">The Dance of Dragons (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Season 4:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-two-swords-episode-1.html" target="_blank">Two Swords (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-lion-and-rose-episode-2.html" target="_blank">The Lion and the Rose (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-breaker-of-chains.html" target="_blank">Breaker of Chains (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-oathkeeper-episode-4.html" target="_blank">Oathkeeper (Ep4) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-first-of-his-name.html" target="_blank">The First of His Name (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-laws-of-gods-and-men.html" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men (Ep6) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-mockingbird-episode-7.html" target="_blank">Mockingbird (Ep7) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-mountain-and-viper.html" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-watchers-on-wall.html" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-children-episode-10.html">The Children (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-43192999457744705082016-05-07T03:01:00.005-06:002016-05-07T03:16:07.751-06:00Captain America: Civil War [Movie Review]<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBzNawqsMkw6davJ30vxIK0ve7rRSlXyzB1K70mx8XPrl32ju2TLslLafooo7uBtILQrtK9ygKWBNJDyf_FxTwSt5g_QpkW8QzcAZ2GFmKZQTvK02_7JRE3RR9fIaedxQCkGcgg8FiwiC/s1600/Civil_War_Final_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBzNawqsMkw6davJ30vxIK0ve7rRSlXyzB1K70mx8XPrl32ju2TLslLafooo7uBtILQrtK9ygKWBNJDyf_FxTwSt5g_QpkW8QzcAZ2GFmKZQTvK02_7JRE3RR9fIaedxQCkGcgg8FiwiC/s640/Civil_War_Final_Poster.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">The poster is missing two supers. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And so it begins. <br />
Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. <br />
The end of the Avengers, the beginning of something new... </div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS8tR0WYDsTwX41UbEDKVfT5axJeI9Ajcr9oqv5d4CGNgcVJhr2YUn3IloAM0LSpECw3ZCK2swM0QdSGIGr9j4lhlWDYBPIGvomp5YIVTt-AW1fCq68Y7jJDcMf3i71Hgy07AMuZ6l2uO/s1600/Civil+War.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS8tR0WYDsTwX41UbEDKVfT5axJeI9Ajcr9oqv5d4CGNgcVJhr2YUn3IloAM0LSpECw3ZCK2swM0QdSGIGr9j4lhlWDYBPIGvomp5YIVTt-AW1fCq68Y7jJDcMf3i71Hgy07AMuZ6l2uO/s640/Civil+War.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Meet your main cast. I think that at least at the time of posting this is the most complete poster image on the net.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTA3aQANs2w3lfh1LwGd_FFJEvxs1XzHAihKWER86XYGmq7bOqa923oLWVoOhQkno7GTO1n6phpPiaa8w5FFXThPpwzdII5Mim93d81iwQ8grS-FKh1f2lxlYwdwCFLE0W9h4xNPJBJto/s1600/Punchy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTA3aQANs2w3lfh1LwGd_FFJEvxs1XzHAihKWER86XYGmq7bOqa923oLWVoOhQkno7GTO1n6phpPiaa8w5FFXThPpwzdII5Mim93d81iwQ8grS-FKh1f2lxlYwdwCFLE0W9h4xNPJBJto/s400/Punchy.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I... am... punching bag man... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let me start by saying that my biggest gripe about this movie is that it is possibly more of an Avengers film than a Captain America film. I mean we have a dozen major characters. That's just gross, I mean a gross. (Sorry).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb_B4bfA6J0CnpuxSjh_yH1pHhsfE5P3WHekCPXnwgDly8xGiA7pXRGJq1xYC3eW1TI1xU_D_pulXrBCaoAG95AEJ2litP2byjrKr1kI_sruHZ2S3WfCcm6ARxl-qf-20BTwFrEWXiPtC/s1600/captain-america-civil-war-tony-steve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb_B4bfA6J0CnpuxSjh_yH1pHhsfE5P3WHekCPXnwgDly8xGiA7pXRGJq1xYC3eW1TI1xU_D_pulXrBCaoAG95AEJ2litP2byjrKr1kI_sruHZ2S3WfCcm6ARxl-qf-20BTwFrEWXiPtC/s400/captain-america-civil-war-tony-steve.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Some of the strongest scenes are those that do not involve supers <br />beating the crap out of each other. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwgRDN2lgg3Nu-tprxrrg-afqG7hwtRjYxTpPESwBO_-7HFrVw3Jl7bdpcEzvM2pajhG4zZ87hj7gLrYPbk4rRnQBhUmLwCuHCaUIe1-W_Txyerfm0xEUsKWBjsBjyqsddFt1T44RdTxz/s1600/Scarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwgRDN2lgg3Nu-tprxrrg-afqG7hwtRjYxTpPESwBO_-7HFrVw3Jl7bdpcEzvM2pajhG4zZ87hj7gLrYPbk4rRnQBhUmLwCuHCaUIe1-W_Txyerfm0xEUsKWBjsBjyqsddFt1T44RdTxz/s400/Scarlet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I think Scarlet Witch actually might have the most complex story in the film.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ok. Before I got further into the review, let me say that I honestly think I under rated <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/captain-america-winter-soldier-movie.html"><i>Winter Soldier</i> </a>back when I first wrote the review. It probably should have been a 4.5 as well. Now days I really cannot review an MCU film independtently, they have built such a complete and connected universe that even the outside films such as <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/08/guardians-of-galaxy-movie-review.html"><i>Guardians of the Galaxy</i></a> must be considered when anything occurs in the MCU. Everything affects everything. So I watch all of the MCU before each new theatrical release (I try to include as much <i>Agents of Shield</i> as I can as well...) <br />
<br />
I'm fairly certain that most people know the basic plot. Something comes between the Avengers and the team splits. It's in the bloody title. What is actually interesting is how many threads are pulling at the Avengers, ripping them apart. It is not simply the Winter Soldier. It is much much more. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUVT0CFBmiYhu-PNNgHVL_gk5rg8ujPJZeMtcuGucZe0TvB7cfBSMnEtq_Xfpga4Q0oa73Vwx6GapoCn3LxxpwA26Q1lsN0MCFt3J3XrxuTTK4MhYkDQr17i25f6Z4HhidTNLgo4DjKue/s1600/captain-america-civil-war-emily-vancamp-martin-freeman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUVT0CFBmiYhu-PNNgHVL_gk5rg8ujPJZeMtcuGucZe0TvB7cfBSMnEtq_Xfpga4Q0oa73Vwx6GapoCn3LxxpwA26Q1lsN0MCFt3J3XrxuTTK4MhYkDQr17i25f6Z4HhidTNLgo4DjKue/s400/captain-america-civil-war-emily-vancamp-martin-freeman.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Very nice supporting cast. Martin Freeman rocks, and Emily Vancamp<br />has a far more interesting character than you've seen in early Cap films.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't want to touch on all of them. You need to see the film to see those. <br />
<br />
Here are the salient points of the movie. Death matters, injury matters. Back when I saw the very first Avengers movie, I was bothered by the fact that no bystanders seemed to die. The massive Chitauri insect-ship slashed and crashed through buildings, raining debris on the streets. But we see not one single civilian killed, maimed, or even bloodied. I know it is a Disney film, but it always bothered me that we did not see the human consequences of supers battling aliens - at least not on screen. Sure someone could have died, or been injured, but it was never shown. It wasn't until <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/avengers-2-age-of-ultron-movie-review.html"><i>Age of Ultron</i></a> that we really saw a character die. Quicksilver is gunned down and dies on screen. Fury only pretended to die in <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/captain-america-winter-soldier-movie.html"><i>Winter Soldier</i></a>. Now the characters are mortal - well some of them. I'm not sure it anything can kill Vision (or is it The Vision?) aside from maybe... maybe... the Scarlet Witch. But the consequences are there... very human consequences. There are lots of casualties in this film. Actions have far reaching repercussions. This is a good thing for the MCU in the long run. <br />
<br />
The movie is morality play in many ways. It asks us the same question that keeps popping up. Freedom or Security? However this movie actually frames the question with more nuance that I would have expected. Neither side is actually in the right or in the wrong. They treat the subject as if it were grey instead of black and white, as it should be treated. Far better than expected.<br />
<br />
<br />
I want to say something about the Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff, as she is really one of the more interesting characters in the film. This is actually the 3rd movie that she has been in if you consider the after the credits bit in<i> </i><a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/captain-america-winter-soldier-movie.html"><i>Winter Soldier</i>,</a> which I do. She is a very important character in this film, and a good chunk of plot actually center around her, which means that what I really want to talk about, I can't. Too many spoilers. Suffice to say - I would be absolutely happy if they actually did a Scarlet Witch movie.<br />
<br />
Suffice to say that overall this movie was very very good. Clocking in at 147 minutes + previews (saw a Rogue One preview and a Dr. Strange preview) I was never bored. They balanced character and action quite well, there is certainly enough comedy, and overall it was a very good movie experience.<br />
<br />
If you are a fan of the MCU, I highly suggest seeing this movie.<br />
<br />
Oh, and sit through the entire credits. There is an inter credits bit, and an after credits bit. Do not be like half the bloody audience I saw the movie with who got up and left as soon as the credits began to roll. Have they never seen a Marvel movie before? Sit through the credits.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G381coUJOhqztkA-6aqQ3lJl3AxyrlNMbW_q2jUw7GulTi3nXy2OEpOCyqEyeOY40Hlx7avQ30C_A0TeSDWe9yVV6Y7hfn6WCg0v8cPsQv7OHii0Ua0eIf7GmlyISk7_XtWbG3wxBxlP/s1600/Wamachinedown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G381coUJOhqztkA-6aqQ3lJl3AxyrlNMbW_q2jUw7GulTi3nXy2OEpOCyqEyeOY40Hlx7avQ30C_A0TeSDWe9yVV6Y7hfn6WCg0v8cPsQv7OHii0Ua0eIf7GmlyISk7_XtWbG3wxBxlP/s400/Wamachinedown.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This movie repairs one of my complaints that goes all the way back to <br />the very first Avengers movie. I never reviewed that movie, it was out<br />before my blog. My first MCU review was <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2013/12/thor-dark-world-movie-review.html"><i>Thor: The Dark World</i></a>.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-42596250965555294552016-05-06T00:49:00.000-06:002016-05-06T01:12:17.642-06:00Time Chaser: Rifftrax Live Fathom Event (Rifftrax Event) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCRmiOIfkOdT20mD7zK_0xW4J-dZAPq_eCgv5YgSyVsIeGr7mu-XXHvv_EOxBY7cNF53HsOr602mWtD6EcxEPpF3RFyGm4pHvdsx66Y8688phe7KV2XhykkGrj_OPRnFYLGrSegngWtDE/s1600/TimeChasers-BANNER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCRmiOIfkOdT20mD7zK_0xW4J-dZAPq_eCgv5YgSyVsIeGr7mu-XXHvv_EOxBY7cNF53HsOr602mWtD6EcxEPpF3RFyGm4pHvdsx66Y8688phe7KV2XhykkGrj_OPRnFYLGrSegngWtDE/s640/TimeChasers-BANNER.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Woohoo! Yet another Rifftrax Live Event! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This time they tackle a classic MST3K movie: <i>Time Chasers</i>. This was one of my all time favorite original MST3K episodes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3bRXBTkoDrpVbzKACFOlasHdP-_Om8Kj2jkTsyOTv4k9PjmG4YErIx1qOOBhwTZnNWButAlHkNzZFShLx9qlKoIdP6jfka87RxQJfvoWL_O4_V4c2ms7jOcPKa5ym7yQIbUQmKufWDQN/s1600/Time_Chasers_MST3K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3bRXBTkoDrpVbzKACFOlasHdP-_Om8Kj2jkTsyOTv4k9PjmG4YErIx1qOOBhwTZnNWButAlHkNzZFShLx9qlKoIdP6jfka87RxQJfvoWL_O4_V4c2ms7jOcPKa5ym7yQIbUQmKufWDQN/s400/Time_Chasers_MST3K.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">"Castleton snob." </span></td></tr>
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I've never gone to one of the live shows where they took on a movie they had already taken on before. But this was <i>Time Chasers</i>! Pink Boy on Tarmac! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
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Is this my lowest rated Rifftrax Live show? Nope - it is tied with <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/07/rifftrax-presents-sharknado-2-second.html"><i>Sharknado 2</i></a>. I have my reasons for the lower rating this time. But honestly, not everything that Rifftrax does will be 5 Stars. They will have their off moments.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOURZ8YlIsfpgHBFyEkVNW24H6B6BEOLdXPfyDBdYL2IEBYwczvEYj3IKLRjy8WqQ9asH-J3MdkP4hPTcb4PB9TXeu3f-eIW_K80lV_cgcZxUjd6-tsPJ2TD22AQHF8SNhiF8KvKNSycdn/s1600/ImNick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOURZ8YlIsfpgHBFyEkVNW24H6B6BEOLdXPfyDBdYL2IEBYwczvEYj3IKLRjy8WqQ9asH-J3MdkP4hPTcb4PB9TXeu3f-eIW_K80lV_cgcZxUjd6-tsPJ2TD22AQHF8SNhiF8KvKNSycdn/s320/ImNick.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">"Hi. I'm Bob Evil."</span></td></tr>
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<br />
There were two things affecting this otherwise excellent riffing. Two things.<br />
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The first was an actual technical issue that started off being only a minor annoyance and easy to ignore, but that technical issue later became an actual noticeable problem. A very noticeable problem.<br />
<br />
That problem was sound sync. Early in the show the audio seemed to have a problem and Nick's (the main character) voice was very sharp and echoing. That was corrected... however I think it caused the subsequent problem. <br />
<br />
This may or may not have been an issue only for those who were receiving the broadcast, I do not know. However after the sharpness was corrected, the audio began to drift. At first it was light, only a small amount of drift, but by the end you would see a musket or cannon fire, and then a full second or more later hear the sound. Lips failed to sync on all levels. It was actually a bit distracting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIcYgVQghr-pYd7l1JIFv3nyoWwHjL6GU7pmE-meWr9QiXmJhoD1w7PB4dgew4TSYgwRKTlN2M_RQhes-MPn0wNf3juvtkrR-rMQZkwyojNUv-gfidhe1SDDjq-I8eHYa4Oh4mhf96VCm/s1600/timechasers_mobile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIcYgVQghr-pYd7l1JIFv3nyoWwHjL6GU7pmE-meWr9QiXmJhoD1w7PB4dgew4TSYgwRKTlN2M_RQhes-MPn0wNf3juvtkrR-rMQZkwyojNUv-gfidhe1SDDjq-I8eHYa4Oh4mhf96VCm/s320/timechasers_mobile.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">"No, this can't be the hero of the film, can it? Movie? Movie! <br />Can I see your supervisor, movie, this will NOT stand!"</span></td></tr>
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The second problem was that I've probably seen <i>Time Chasers</i> more than almost any other MST3K episode aside from maybe <i>Hobgoblins</i>. The jokes from the original are almost all memorized. I heard them in my head as the movie played. That is why you will note that all the above images contain quotes from the MST3K episode. I know those. And they were funny. My friend made a comment that was probably true - this Rifftrax was the B jokes. They were still funny jokes, but they were not the memorable ones from the MST3K episode. And I was not the only one; I heard other people in the audience whispering the old jokes to one another.<br />
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I'm not saying that this was a bad Rifftrax at all... it was not. But it had it's problems. <br />
It was cool to see what they cut in the original MST3K episode in order to make proper run time. And of course there was a a new short attached as well. They short was one of those 'what the hell was wrong with people at Castle Films?'<br />
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There will be another showing of the <i>Time Chasers</i> Rifftrax Live Show if you want to catch it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJm9EMU4Ia5PeqM5LQ3gnfuK8x6vtivOrBzEFOzqqsA5haGhnUwuCXQW5sc4r9cWJbqYo2R2UfkOCgFyaSMLnZpT1pGCHhnNfSZVy8Auk1HWAzm_FV02UNeYj1DvAhfWP1uIlK3sfqqAh/s1600/DVD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJm9EMU4Ia5PeqM5LQ3gnfuK8x6vtivOrBzEFOzqqsA5haGhnUwuCXQW5sc4r9cWJbqYo2R2UfkOCgFyaSMLnZpT1pGCHhnNfSZVy8Auk1HWAzm_FV02UNeYj1DvAhfWP1uIlK3sfqqAh/s400/DVD.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Holy crap... this movie actually made it to some form of DVD? </span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-39302612608721999882016-05-02T03:18:00.000-06:002016-05-16T01:08:48.762-06:00Game of Throne "Home" (S6 - E02) [TV Review] <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPENah8SphwWDXnDN5dt-M-n0tiLCad7DVNPh6xVVGpHzynaK3gVCT4J_AaaQBqUOlDkQLcRKJLjWBvs50zix2JV5UmwaBmHvCgLTTF-eijQ_Z3EtCLEkIiinAX5kxBHAKg2DhPtmN6QKD/s1600/Dragons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPENah8SphwWDXnDN5dt-M-n0tiLCad7DVNPh6xVVGpHzynaK3gVCT4J_AaaQBqUOlDkQLcRKJLjWBvs50zix2JV5UmwaBmHvCgLTTF-eijQ_Z3EtCLEkIiinAX5kxBHAKg2DhPtmN6QKD/s640/Dragons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Well that was an epic episode. Second episode of the sixth season, and we're at last getting to events that occurred in... what, book three? Yeah... nice to know that was not forgotten.<br />
Oh, yeah, and that big reveal that we all knew was coming... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xTfg8c64Tx1EouE2lPY5PqZoh_hpxcD8MaPeCzLiii4gB3M2yiM_ntN6c4Rsr3Bz5rDNJHwHD_2pCSIGE6Mx23uI6xbzfmfDV-Vm2JhG4LqMPlcBerMVGvYqNDBPezPOJiq1AK-REYVP/s1600/Flashback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xTfg8c64Tx1EouE2lPY5PqZoh_hpxcD8MaPeCzLiii4gB3M2yiM_ntN6c4Rsr3Bz5rDNJHwHD_2pCSIGE6Mx23uI6xbzfmfDV-Vm2JhG4LqMPlcBerMVGvYqNDBPezPOJiq1AK-REYVP/s400/Flashback.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Well now, this is something different. Not so much a flashback, <br />as a vision of the past. Fascinating... maybe just maybe we'll get<br />to see what really happened to Lyanna Stark. </span></td></tr>
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Yeah.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">SPOILER ALERT!</span></b><br />
<br />
Well, Jon Snow might not have known nothing, but we certain have known for a long time that <span style="background-color: white;">Jon Snow was going to return from the dead, and he did</span>. <br />
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There that is done and over with. I'll not even bother to linger on that point, since we have known it for so long.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
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That scene was by far the least epic moment in the whole episode.<br />
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No no no. Lets talk about the fun stuff. <br />
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First Bran is able to use his green seeing powers to observe the past. This is cool. I'm hoping for some big reveals about Lyanna Stark and Ned in the past. Oh yeah, Hodor was named Wylis and could speak. Kinda nice to see. <br />
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This episode then continues with a strange theme - smashing skulls into walls and leaving smears. Big guys get very angry and little guys (comparatively) get their brains rendered into graffiti on the stones.<br />
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That was entertaining. I'll even admit it, I laughed. Dark humor. It can catch you at the strangest time.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lkyoQNq10mdNpqghsV2m0N3sm6VjvAX4_QT4d6b1pEvUCnwI9w4g2T1WTJP_GHtS3Zc5QeswADmuRnuqhcZmtr5Cus2Wc5HINullH_8iMprOyiv2InkJn37l38YJhHimW94Qg12PvEZO/s1600/home-cersei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lkyoQNq10mdNpqghsV2m0N3sm6VjvAX4_QT4d6b1pEvUCnwI9w4g2T1WTJP_GHtS3Zc5QeswADmuRnuqhcZmtr5Cus2Wc5HINullH_8iMprOyiv2InkJn37l38YJhHimW94Qg12PvEZO/s400/home-cersei.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">The Mount that is Dead is less of a King's Guard and <br />more of a Queen Regent's Guard. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlXRzQI8gQcdp2l2Tnkbvi8SwHMRi0cognqQkEUYEVIFrjql8PqhOb5vSTPFmGhHs1Cp9LdzKkg8pv2B_ASU66ArZd-Hv2GIr3GTu3l8yW6LiQ0m_pX7IejhGAD2Hx2bPJr3EmqzXIpDx/s1600/rooseramsay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlXRzQI8gQcdp2l2Tnkbvi8SwHMRi0cognqQkEUYEVIFrjql8PqhOb5vSTPFmGhHs1Cp9LdzKkg8pv2B_ASU66ArZd-Hv2GIr3GTu3l8yW6LiQ0m_pX7IejhGAD2Hx2bPJr3EmqzXIpDx/s400/rooseramsay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">There's a pun here about 'coming home to Roose.'</span></td></tr>
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We also revisit the stupidest decision made in the entire span of Game of Thrones or GRRM's books - A Song of Ice and Fire. Cersei's imbecilic idea to rearm the faith. Yes, because religious wars and crusaders have ever done anything good for anyone. In the entire real history of humanity a militarized religion has only resulted in new and special levels of bloodshed, cruelty, and violence. But no, Cersei went and allowed the faith to rearm itself, so now a bunch of fanatical beggars are terrorizing King's Landing. In fact in this episode the High Sparrow outright threatened to overthrown the kingdom. I'm not fan of the Lannisters, but they should have seen that an armed religious force would eventually lead to treason and insurrection. <br />
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There's a tiny bit with Arya. In fact while it is cool... the whole Blind beggar bit seems to have gone by rather fast. Or so I thought.<br />
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How often do I have to say this:<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>SPOILER ALERT. </b></span><br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbj72PC0v7QVojMKMuQ4Yb97bFXCIiAcGpGYAMdWNK3zhy1Qt8MxMydBbvvJgWsOpOMK19uUhhTHlxlaLhJYW7emlG1SW2haews0cCkil69HDzjIhSJ24xeOiTCAh59R6CZfLK2O9QSRU/s1600/Yeah-No.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbj72PC0v7QVojMKMuQ4Yb97bFXCIiAcGpGYAMdWNK3zhy1Qt8MxMydBbvvJgWsOpOMK19uUhhTHlxlaLhJYW7emlG1SW2haews0cCkil69HDzjIhSJ24xeOiTCAh59R6CZfLK2O9QSRU/s400/Yeah-No.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Now if that image is not creepy, note Ramsay's Face,<br />then I do not know what creepy is.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In Winterfell, Roose Bolton's new son is born. Has it been 9 months since he even married his Frey wife? We learn about the pregnancy around the time that Sansa is forced to wed Ramsay. Maybe she was pregnant before, but time has seemed to move rather swiftly. So looking back at Sansa - perhaps she has been a beggar for a while now. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlVhuRErcmEaal11DeH43gqSdvZD47l5ezt4TTXinbugloqjlLFLvfIFflssOyZqgyOv9PYpUiqC3C437mff4NzkEzvT7xK8D78Bl61fZMnhX_UKa8yAjZ7f7wKoxYR12p0-3UqOZ2YBi/s1600/IDrink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlVhuRErcmEaal11DeH43gqSdvZD47l5ezt4TTXinbugloqjlLFLvfIFflssOyZqgyOv9PYpUiqC3C437mff4NzkEzvT7xK8D78Bl61fZMnhX_UKa8yAjZ7f7wKoxYR12p0-3UqOZ2YBi/s400/IDrink.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Again Tyrion steals the show with his lines:<br />"If I lost my cock I'd drink all the time."<br />"That's what I do; I drink and I know things."<br />"Don't eat the help."</span></td></tr>
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Then we get a scene of pure karma - Ramsay stabs Roose in the gut just like Roose stabbed Rob Stark. Now if only someone would kill the Late Walder Frey. This scene is rapidly followed by some serious off screen gore... but you know what? This was a <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ChekhovsGun">Chekhov's gun</a> moment. A season ago Sansa was led by the kennel master's daughter through the dog pens. These dog pens housed Theon (aka: Reek), but they housed more. They housed violent angry dogs that you just knew wanted to rip at human flesh. This season - that Checkov's gun was fired - those dogs did what we knew they were going to eventually do. Not a subtle scene.<br />
<br />
Tyrion does Tyrion things - mainly drinking, thinking, and acting rashly. Tyrion has long been obsessed with dragons, and we get a bit of backstory on that. He then puts two and two together and gets the answer - unchain the dragons. Which he does. This seems rash. We'll see what comes of this. I've been a bit curt here, but the honest truth is that both Varys and Tyrion are great in this scene. Their expressions tell real depth, and the acting is top notch.<br />
<br />
Short scene with Sansa learning about Arya from Brienne. Theon wants a horse to ride home to Pyke. That seems... weird.<br />
<br />
Then suddenly we're back in Pyke for the first time since... shit... Theon was last there? Season 2 or so? No.. season 4 when Theon's favorite toy is sent to Balon from Ramsay. Well, at last we return to Pyke where upon Balon meets Euron (his brother) on a creaky bridge between two towers, where the storm rips at them. Now this scene occurred in book three... so this is like three seasons late. Remember those leaches that Stannis burned saying the names of King's he wanted dead? Rob, Joffrey, and Balon... well this is the last. In the books Stannis hears about all three deaths, in the show... not so much. However the show may be answering a question that many people have had. In the books a child of the forest told of a vision (she was talking to member's of the Brotherhood without Banners) that goes as thus: <i>"I dreamt of a man without a face, waiting on a bridge that swayed
and swung. On his shoulder perched a drowned crow with seaweed hanging
from his wings." </i>This scene makes it out that Euron himself kills Balon, when in the books it is likely he hired a faceless man for a dragon's egg (or some other great treasure since the cost of the kill is equal to the target's life). Nice to finally finish up a bit of the third book which has been driving me nuts.<br />
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And of course we end with Melissandre being persuaded by Ser Davos Seaworth to try and raise Jon Snow. This is probably the least epic scene in the whole episode, because we knew it was coming. I actually felt a bit let down with how easy it was... I was actually hoping for something cooler... thus no five star rating. <br />
<br />
Well, until next week. Here is this weeks list of the dead, with a special bonus!<br />
<br />
Death Count for season six episode two, <i>Home</i>:<br />
- Lord Roose Bolton<br />
- Lady Walda Bolton (Frey)<br />
- Baby Bolton <br />
- Drunken Braggart in Kingslanding<br />
- One or Two Brother's of the Night's Watch<br />
- King Balon Greyjoy<br />
<br />
And a special, Returned from the Dead count:<br />
- Jon Snow<br />
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<br />
Previous<i> Game of Thrones</i> reviews:<br />
<br />
Season 6:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/04/game-of-throne-red-woman-s6-e01-tv.html">The Red Woman (Ep1)</a> <br />
<br />
Season 5:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-wars-to-come-season-5.html">The Wars to Come (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-house-of-black-and.html">The House of Black and White (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-high-sparrow-season-5.html">High Sparrow (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-sons-of-harpy-season-5.html">Sons of the Harpy (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-kill-boy-season-5-ep-5.html">Kill the Boy (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-unbowed-unbent-unbroken.html">Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-gift-season-5-ep-7-tv.html">The Gift (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html">Hardhome (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html">The Dance of Dragons (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Season 4:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-two-swords-episode-1.html" target="_blank">Two Swords (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-lion-and-rose-episode-2.html" target="_blank">The Lion and the Rose (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-breaker-of-chains.html" target="_blank">Breaker of Chains (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-oathkeeper-episode-4.html" target="_blank">Oathkeeper (Ep4) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-first-of-his-name.html" target="_blank">The First of His Name (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-laws-of-gods-and-men.html" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men (Ep6) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-mockingbird-episode-7.html" target="_blank">Mockingbird (Ep7) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-mountain-and-viper.html" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-watchers-on-wall.html" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-children-episode-10.html">The Children (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-50821474155735420492016-04-27T00:06:00.000-06:002016-05-06T01:18:18.259-06:00The Revenant [Movie Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip79fd0ssrWShxRjPk9MgUqhSArBnRwp_Mjl0doGMOvH1a6LKF_f6uuA5apQbgFlzZZoH8e1Q_RMAVHo1yaMzqUbuKAMu7lZ1BOKxiaCutNKiqd9nmNTE-la7J7o0mSp-coTllx1gmo256/s1600/Title.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip79fd0ssrWShxRjPk9MgUqhSArBnRwp_Mjl0doGMOvH1a6LKF_f6uuA5apQbgFlzZZoH8e1Q_RMAVHo1yaMzqUbuKAMu7lZ1BOKxiaCutNKiqd9nmNTE-la7J7o0mSp-coTllx1gmo256/s640/Title.png" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm really digging seeing movies on the cheap. It lets me see movies that I either missed in the general theaters, was on the fence about seeing, or... something I'm not thinking of at the moment. Anyways, seeing movies on the super cheap has been great.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFvrqIUYUd9D_PcaIwKBfJ5OothF5eNI2JrZXwc0qvE-JjhbvPomPMfQpDOi3Y-plXTo0CvlnVF6kcZGjJd5V2zNtN5eW37I9KeaVJ96_3i068pa5BM6BdJsmnlj7-o572Dv4xtFmSoh5/s1600/Rise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFvrqIUYUd9D_PcaIwKBfJ5OothF5eNI2JrZXwc0qvE-JjhbvPomPMfQpDOi3Y-plXTo0CvlnVF6kcZGjJd5V2zNtN5eW37I9KeaVJ96_3i068pa5BM6BdJsmnlj7-o572Dv4xtFmSoh5/s400/Rise.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Revenant: one who has returned, as if from the dead.</span></td></tr>
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I should also mention that I very rarely see the best picture nominees. This movie took Best Cinematography, Actor, and Director... so it didn't take best picture. (In fact the only Best Picture nominees from the 88th Academy Awards I saw were <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/mad-max-fury-road-movie-review.html"><i>Mad Max: Fury Road</i></a> and <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-martian-movie-review.html"><i>The Martian</i></a>.) But I digress.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRNxVdb8yb_x5pW0fcWXcxCwXpkOkYWkschbfqhUewMFduUpr3BA7hMAfiJ0v-z9aU3jiWyAxY6wP-VSnA7KqUfZzar3jjXeVifZgDWolq7f-4y-S84IKd8fhHC4-DZu-e1iQ6mdotY3/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV9bEP-5wLFB5dilSdevOUZtvrsFi73LVkW3oBWlUEysW_H1fDZjpMXNgs9Oxvnx_5gUs-KQg7YUs-a9y8sOOEHDh-yoFmg9WdNxSsOBQ2n1xVO1DfhMKFfgrAIqTF-N4zo1X16K-n_ZE/s1600/Silent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV9bEP-5wLFB5dilSdevOUZtvrsFi73LVkW3oBWlUEysW_H1fDZjpMXNgs9Oxvnx_5gUs-KQg7YUs-a9y8sOOEHDh-yoFmg9WdNxSsOBQ2n1xVO1DfhMKFfgrAIqTF-N4zo1X16K-n_ZE/s400/Silent1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This movie absolutely deserved Best Cinematography. <br />It was hauntingly beautiful. </span></td></tr>
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This movie was not what I was expecting. I'm not certain what I was expecting... but it was not this. I do not mean story-wise. The story was what I was expecting, for the most part. I've played enough DnD in my lifetime to be familiar with what a Revenant is. Of course in DnD a Revenant is usually some undead knight thing returned to seek vengeance upon those who wronged it in life... oh, wait... that is exactly what this movie means by Revenant too. <br />
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Mostly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvD7ViMWiCAgN0oG5RsRLHv6txH_BAJsIQjuiecAX5QxQe6_dfmVAy2jVW64mMCQPQ8rjqVJ4Gn0SP8Zwsld6kuWRzhtb4cNgO_ESXoVwuw8TnJ2loUNQ17CmR4EpeRV0kHreD2-R73my0/s1600/Silence-white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvD7ViMWiCAgN0oG5RsRLHv6txH_BAJsIQjuiecAX5QxQe6_dfmVAy2jVW64mMCQPQ8rjqVJ4Gn0SP8Zwsld6kuWRzhtb4cNgO_ESXoVwuw8TnJ2loUNQ17CmR4EpeRV0kHreD2-R73my0/s400/Silence-white.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Scenes like this are what really make this movie amazing.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t_jyZkr1dshJgtQ-QnI4uh7dKwR8VWuvKKimlDsixjY24K0L62rSIUmA8mojFcmO4AAMXU41NfKax5Utb4lmOXjIoEcwvA1u5-hBiJyAHeTFO1YRThd2RO2tDvhn15bX9mHVF-G0g3AL/s1600/duane_howard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t_jyZkr1dshJgtQ-QnI4uh7dKwR8VWuvKKimlDsixjY24K0L62rSIUmA8mojFcmO4AAMXU41NfKax5Utb4lmOXjIoEcwvA1u5-hBiJyAHeTFO1YRThd2RO2tDvhn15bX9mHVF-G0g3AL/s400/duane_howard.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Fantastic Makeup and Costuming. </span></td></tr>
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Let me list off what I was expecting from the movie. <br />
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- I was expecting in someways an apologetic bit about Native Americans. We do not get this, instead we get a slice of what it was most likely really like back then. There are no innocent people. The Americans are assholes, the French are assholes, the Ree (Arikara) are Assholes, the Sioux are assholes (in passing only), the Union Army are assholes. Everyone is an asshole. Only the Pawnee are not assholes, that we see. It's gritty, and uncompromising in its depiction of people - people have more than one side, some do terrible things for the right reasons, others do the right thing for selfish reasons. Some are taken advantage of, and others take advantage. There was real depth to the characters. So it was not an apology piece - and it is probably better for that. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGxr2x4ejw41opz7omX0R4NTmJvULsp5lifuSNbWlQ_etIjvhRyCYCDl9v3R_l3xDHSrUsOR9Jpbn3_lhFoJ6ORfHCBH4DPe2ve9M4z5Fgwvk6H063YthS_F75WmyRvPQrcoWv81G-ssU/s1600/TomandDomnhall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGxr2x4ejw41opz7omX0R4NTmJvULsp5lifuSNbWlQ_etIjvhRyCYCDl9v3R_l3xDHSrUsOR9Jpbn3_lhFoJ6ORfHCBH4DPe2ve9M4z5Fgwvk6H063YthS_F75WmyRvPQrcoWv81G-ssU/s400/TomandDomnhall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">The only other actors I knew in the movie aside from<br />DiCaprio: Domhnall Gleeson and Tom Hardy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AGmWzySNlLb1f75WbrKV8KMNfT1AZxexZJDHwdps01MAEREakL3R2sZS62veaPelPMpsh_qHD-3-GYnUv0NGQjMj_7mbAsA8f98pDqIlUxs7PTMOxxup6WvNsLlNVCeqcM6oa_-7vGr9/s1600/TastingSnow.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AGmWzySNlLb1f75WbrKV8KMNfT1AZxexZJDHwdps01MAEREakL3R2sZS62veaPelPMpsh_qHD-3-GYnUv0NGQjMj_7mbAsA8f98pDqIlUxs7PTMOxxup6WvNsLlNVCeqcM6oa_-7vGr9/s400/TastingSnow.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Perhaps the only light-hearted scene in the film. </span></td></tr>
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- I was expecting the white men to be the main villains. This is mostly accurate - but see above. There is depth. Not every white man is an asshole, but a lot are. There are several particularly despicable characters. However, they are not the only villains. The Ree (Arikawa) are also rather villainous (despite their reasons - their methods certainly cast them in the role of the antagonist). <br />
<br />
- I expected our hero to end up near death in a completely different manner than was shown. The method shown was far more brutal than I expected. Now there is a corollary here - I did not really see any previews for this film. So if the previews showed the brutality that occurred, I was lucky. For me it was utterly shocking and very gruesome. <br />
<br />
- I expected a louder movie. I always expect loud movies. In fact I expect most movies to be Whisper-Boom movies (low dialogue - ear shattering explosions). This movie was filled with silence - and where there was no silence, it was filled with the sounds of nature. Dialogue is not what this movie was about. This movie is a masterpiece of tone. So much is told in expression and intention. Imagery and movement. The film is a breathtaking cinematic spectacle.<br />
<br />
This was a fantastic film.<br />
This was a brutal and violent film.<br />
This was a serene film.<br />
This was a meditative film.<br />
<br />
This film was a meditation on violence, or perhaps on vengeance.<br />
<br />
This is one of those movies I'm very glad to have seen once, but I will probably never see again. It was too cold, too real. The brutality was palpable, the violence visceral. The scenery majestic, and the structure was meditative.<br />
<br />
DiCaprio more than earned Best Actor for this. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ls_W01znRTxDtAGhNxHeUC6E4PjmbBST8HU6jKW8ZQRQRcA2PI7y9DF2RraOTujSltWGv19F2U46zH78gC05SCPVDuVnsrlFBDW4g8diI3riB25I67FbP6Vo1TJnktUN8nUxQFYfnYxm/s1600/Skulls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ls_W01znRTxDtAGhNxHeUC6E4PjmbBST8HU6jKW8ZQRQRcA2PI7y9DF2RraOTujSltWGv19F2U46zH78gC05SCPVDuVnsrlFBDW4g8diI3riB25I67FbP6Vo1TJnktUN8nUxQFYfnYxm/s640/Skulls.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">A mountain of skulls. <br />Chilling.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-23729442472284820562016-04-25T02:18:00.000-06:002016-05-16T01:08:57.143-06:00Game of Throne "The Red Woman" (S6 - E01) [TV Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
It is that time of year again. The time when we all know that "Winter is Coming." <br />
(Why this is not part of HBO's fall line up I'll never understand. The marketing was already written.)<br />
That's right, it is time again to play the game - the game where you win or you die - the Game of Thrones.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyPpU3wdq0cydAC5mhVWoP5zNl6FUgEg-tHnYk-a9_W41ZeIfE6b65tlRfQg4qKxVXkjQ0FcIop7uTs_ejfhXLWsTLIeETt6RIJ8bEKOCPI0I5Kt-dTSr3CSqWYEn14Rzi9Kl9XqYMpLy/s1600/game-of-thrones-season-6-maisie-williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyPpU3wdq0cydAC5mhVWoP5zNl6FUgEg-tHnYk-a9_W41ZeIfE6b65tlRfQg4qKxVXkjQ0FcIop7uTs_ejfhXLWsTLIeETt6RIJ8bEKOCPI0I5Kt-dTSr3CSqWYEn14Rzi9Kl9XqYMpLy/s400/game-of-thrones-season-6-maisie-williams.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Witness to Waif abuse. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before we go very far lets recap the end of Season 5. There are three very important episodes right at the end of the season. <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html"><i>Hardhome</i></a>, <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html"><i>The Dance of Dragons</i></a>, and<i> <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy</a></i>. <br />
<br />
I'm going to his this very fast covering the big areas.<br />
<br />
So yeah... if some crazy reason you are reading this but have not yet seen season 5... <span style="color: red;"><b>SPOILER ALERT</b></span>.<br />
<br />
Lets start with... <br />
<u>Kings Landing:</u> <br />
The Faith militant has two queens (Margaery and Cersei) in Jail, and a member of the King's Guard (Ser Loras Tyrell). Margaery and Loras are still in Jail at seasons end, but Cersei took the walk of shame back to the red keep where upon we meet the 'Mountain that is a King's Guard.' <br />
<br />
<u>The Wall: </u><br />
Jon Snow rescues some wildlings from the White Walker's at Hardhome, sends Sam south to the Citadel to become a Maester, and then gets murdered by his own brothers in the Night's Watch. Both Ser Davos Seaworth and the Red Woman are at Castle Black when Jon Snow is murdered. <br />
<u><br />The North:</u><br />
Sansa is married to Ramsey Bolton, and raped by him.Theon (Reek) admits he did not kill Bran and Rickon. Stannis marches on Winterfell, sacrifices his own daughter to the Lord of Light, loses his wife to suicide, watches his army fall apart, and finally gets killed by Brienne of Tarth after he loses to the Bolton Forces. Theon helps Sansa escape. <br />
<br />
<u>Dorne:</u><br />
Jamie and Bron failed to rescue Myrcella - who does not want to leave. Bron ends up in Jail. Jamie ends up playing diplomat with Doran Martell. Jamie, Bron and Myrcella leave on a boat, but Myrcella dies due to the poison Ellaria Sand used on her.<br />
<br />
<u>Bravos:</u><br />
Arya kills Ser Meryn Trant, and is punished by the Many-Faced God as Jaqen kills himself (or was Jaqen, is there a Jaqen? No... there is only No One). Arya goes blind for using the power of faces while being someone and not No One. <br />
<br />
<u>Meereen: </u><br />
(Sigh) Daenerys is still troubled by the Sons of the Harpy. She reopens the fighting pits. Ser Jorah brings Tyrion to her and Tyrion debates if she is worthy of his council. The Sons of the Harpy attack at the big games in the grand fighting pit. Daenerys is saved when Drogon arrives and begins burning and killing the Sons of the Harpy. Unfortunately she flies off with Drogon and ends up far away in some green mountain valley where she is captured by a Khalasar. Varys shows up at Tyrion's side again. <br />
<br />
I've probably missed a few things but that's enough of a review. If you want more detail, you can read my previous reviews of watch it on DVD / DB.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xCXGJXan63rmNmMO2VkGvz_0pYgRK3iTlW3xOXrXpCrkpEnR9-sbB-AbE6K9rvEx2NR7v7JGIedNa6O9pbAYPtmmrKRSYMtRUkUEbCTV-2T_esC3UAPMqO-gqyFr-704Y4mhOuRFefpI/s1600/game-of-thrones-s6ep1-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xCXGJXan63rmNmMO2VkGvz_0pYgRK3iTlW3xOXrXpCrkpEnR9-sbB-AbE6K9rvEx2NR7v7JGIedNa6O9pbAYPtmmrKRSYMtRUkUEbCTV-2T_esC3UAPMqO-gqyFr-704Y4mhOuRFefpI/s400/game-of-thrones-s6ep1-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Oh, that looks so cold... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now onto this weeks episode: The Red Woman. <br />
<br />
Again... <span style="color: red;"><b>SPOILER ALERT</b></span>. <br />
Oh, yeah... the star rating. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JTEZ35hbmdf-WNx30eguC7UTVnNIGuuhpxj3Fv7osYzvfsL7Xc6A6o_Aykp1MB3MZM5N9Soapzgzx5xloQN6aym_eiRzqUcl5-1eYQt6nFpUfrQpV7j35Ls5TYtl3fbu_X0I6IUGho4I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 out of 5 stars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mhWriNMl4cGkVhX1X7OHnzEYyrI1DzRlBICaB9LJ0cqCVD56ekqYpxRkJQz-zJz1B7HjJM1WsiGnI4psHtsTpvHHVBkS9ccVqvMLK8GHiKdegRbB90OgcpDtIHCmqw4iHh50oPrhyphenhyphenoYC/s1600/Voyageofthedead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mhWriNMl4cGkVhX1X7OHnzEYyrI1DzRlBICaB9LJ0cqCVD56ekqYpxRkJQz-zJz1B7HjJM1WsiGnI4psHtsTpvHHVBkS9ccVqvMLK8GHiKdegRbB90OgcpDtIHCmqw4iHh50oPrhyphenhyphenoYC/s400/Voyageofthedead.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I don't see Bron. Where is Bron? </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From here on out, everything is new. Well most everything. There is no 6th book... so what we see may not be reflected in the books. We have already gone far afield of many of the book story lines.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry8Nxj6B88k0kbqyLFQV6NZpSO4e_SZisoxolXFvZyrodgX0vQnrqPehORasIHOIpiwUqmWhGwm2gmxRgwPHqoTFPDxnbaNmlfgco_zIKl_AD6qZIQehlQtzOd7bD8Z_fHdCvn6M8o1Bd/s1600/Game-of-Thrones-Season-6-Images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry8Nxj6B88k0kbqyLFQV6NZpSO4e_SZisoxolXFvZyrodgX0vQnrqPehORasIHOIpiwUqmWhGwm2gmxRgwPHqoTFPDxnbaNmlfgco_zIKl_AD6qZIQehlQtzOd7bD8Z_fHdCvn6M8o1Bd/s400/Game-of-Thrones-Season-6-Images.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This scene just sucked. Love the dichotomy of Ellaria Sand<br />and the Sand Snakes. They demand justice* for the losses<br />they have suffered but are completely willing to betray<br />others to get their vengeance. They have no honor.<br />* They want vengeance, not justice.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of the story lines had rather slow beginnings this season. Sadly the story of Jon's death has progressed little. He's dead. Ser Davos and Dolorous Edd Tollet (and a few others) have moved Jon's body into his study (?) along with Ghost. Jon remains dead. Kit Harrington has a Mark Hamill level of difficulty acting in this episode. <br />
<br />
Tyrion walks around Meereen and watches a Red Priest rile up some freedmen. Then a massive pillar of smoke fills the sky. The entire harbor and all the ships in it are on fire. Yea. Now Tyrion is stuck in Meereen. This city is just a giant hole, and as far as I am concerned will remain one until the entire city is destroyed. Plot goes to Meereen to die.<br />
<br />
Theon and Sansa are on the run from the Bolton pursuers. They cross an icy river but are eventually set upon by riders and dogs. They are saved by Brienne and Pod. Meanwhile Ramsey has been put in his place by his father for losing Sansa. <br />
<br />
Arya is blind and begging on the streets of Bravos. The waif challenges her to a fights and beats the crap out of Arya with a staff. Arya has much to learn, but she has been listening to people. <br />
<br />
Margaery remains in the prison of the faith, but the High Sparrow comes to visit her. She appears to be breaking... not good. <br />
<br />
Jamies arrives in Kingslanding with the body of Myrcella. Cersei tells him about the prophesy that says all of her children will die, and a few other things. Jamie vehemently disagrees with the prophesy, but I'm not certain he will be able to do anything about it.<br />
<br />
Daenerys is brought before Khal Moro. She reveals that she is the widow of Khal Drogo so that he will not rape her. Unfortunately this means that now they are going to haul her off to Vaes Dothrak where she will live with the widows of other Khal's. Ser Jorah and Daario Naharis are on her trail and notice that she was taken by a 'horde.' Somehow they also manage to find the one tiny ring she left behind as a clue. (That has got to be a trope... but I'm not going to look it up. If I do, I'll get lost in TVTropes depths.)<br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br />BIG SPOILERS AHEAD. </span></b><br />
<br />
And then there is what happens in Dorne. This is the biggest shocker of the show. A letter arrives for Doran Martell and he begins to read it. As soon as he reads the bit about Myrcella being dead, one of the Sand Snakes stabs Areo Hotah in the back, and Ellaria Sand stabs Doran in the heart. He asks about Tristan and Ellaria replies that "he is weak, like his father." Tristan is killed by the other two Sand Snakes, as they once again stab a person in the back. The Sand Snakes have no honor at all. I suspect this is all to set up a war between Lannister and Dorne. We shall see.<br />
<br />
The last scene is the Red Woman. We see her staring into a fire. She looks lost. She thought she saw Jon Snow fighting at Winter Fell, but now he is dead. He world seems to be crumbling. She is about to shatter ours. She undresses for bed. We see her naked - first boobs of the episode. Then she takes off the massive glowing ruby at her neck. She ages - rapidly. She looks over 90. So we see 90yr old boobs. The second boobs of the episode. Our image of the red woman is shattered. (For some reason I saw this coming. Magic has a price - blood, life, power... something. And she has been using magic.) <br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9cmPI-XVZhcE3m4X86ArNT9ye26jHWmrRTDb-cJHvT7yXT1S4TNZcfiyFhII7WdpIR1v8F1ya74OHQe_XjCkvKA4QNvd41tgCK82WsTFIPkv5RDJqRd4ArSL4tQiPJrI-ZnJjRergim6/s1600/fb_event_cover_gf_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9cmPI-XVZhcE3m4X86ArNT9ye26jHWmrRTDb-cJHvT7yXT1S4TNZcfiyFhII7WdpIR1v8F1ya74OHQe_XjCkvKA4QNvd41tgCK82WsTFIPkv5RDJqRd4ArSL4tQiPJrI-ZnJjRergim6/s640/fb_event_cover_gf_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I was torn. I was thinking of giving it only 3.5 stars, but decided<br />that there was enough 'wow' moments to sway me to 4 stars. <br />But I'm still not certain. If I gave quarter portions, this would get 3.75. <br />But I don't, so 4 stars it is. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That is it for this week.<br />
See you again next week.<br />
<br />
Until then, if you want to you can go back and read all my prior GoT reviews. Oh, and here is this episodes death count!<br />
<br />
<br />
Death Count for the first season 6 episode, <i>The Red Woman</i>:<br />
- Doran Martell<br />
- Areo Hotah<br />
- Trystane Martell <br />
- Bolton Trackers (and their dogs? What happened to those dogs?)<br />
<br />
Previous<i> Game of Thrones</i> reviews:<br />
<br />
Season 5:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-wars-to-come-season-5.html">The Wars to Come (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-house-of-black-and.html">The House of Black and White (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/04/game-of-thrones-high-sparrow-season-5.html">High Sparrow (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-sons-of-harpy-season-5.html">Sons of the Harpy (Ep4)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-kill-boy-season-5-ep-5.html">Kill the Boy (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-unbowed-unbent-unbroken.html">Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (Ep6)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/game-of-thrones-gift-season-5-ep-7-tv.html">The Gift (Ep7)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-hardhome-season-5-ep-8.html">Hardhome (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-dance-of-dragons-season.html">The Dance of Dragons (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-mothers-mercy-season-5.html">Mother's Mercy (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />
Season 4:<br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-two-swords-episode-1.html" target="_blank">Two Swords (Ep1)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-lion-and-rose-episode-2.html" target="_blank">The Lion and the Rose (Ep2)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-breaker-of-chains.html" target="_blank">Breaker of Chains (Ep3)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/game-of-thrones-oathkeeper-episode-4.html" target="_blank">Oathkeeper (Ep4) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-first-of-his-name.html" target="_blank">The First of His Name (Ep5)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-laws-of-gods-and-men.html" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men (Ep6) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/05/game-of-thrones-mockingbird-episode-7.html" target="_blank">Mockingbird (Ep7) </a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-mountain-and-viper.html" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper (Ep8)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-watchers-on-wall.html" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall (Ep9)</a><br />
- <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-children-episode-10.html">The Children (Ep10)</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-47996403999385819832016-04-21T17:10:00.002-06:002016-05-06T01:19:41.515-06:00Gods of Egypt [Movie Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvubtHHCgZ7FPZaGuDQqgkqTrkS8GQeFSpQLdiu2d7mZ9_D_xc2YUhvblg2qGUBTdoSvbQRz0Z3Sdcq3rsbh4WpOuBVq2yYy3NALRqQFzOH6nT-D1hmeN2q_GjKh1Dm4xkLnuWLI4Fa0F6/s1600/GOE-Gold-Teaser-Poster1-1200x1800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvubtHHCgZ7FPZaGuDQqgkqTrkS8GQeFSpQLdiu2d7mZ9_D_xc2YUhvblg2qGUBTdoSvbQRz0Z3Sdcq3rsbh4WpOuBVq2yYy3NALRqQFzOH6nT-D1hmeN2q_GjKh1Dm4xkLnuWLI4Fa0F6/s640/GOE-Gold-Teaser-Poster1-1200x1800.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
I had to see this movie. It was panned so badly, and it looked so flashy, that there was choice - I had to see it. And you know what... it was not actually as terrible as the critics claimed.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51SdlnFk3cmP8QEBKhGKWOXYGmvAXFL9v_PwDyoN7o_7NjCojgPcLbKYPCRUvtvDbORUjSnpQzEPBf1HZbYtABO4dV0On4xs4D4S1j9qJ8pYlzgfJeYOTRflXfUM0UGWwOs9yApMtqBxE/s1600/Nile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51SdlnFk3cmP8QEBKhGKWOXYGmvAXFL9v_PwDyoN7o_7NjCojgPcLbKYPCRUvtvDbORUjSnpQzEPBf1HZbYtABO4dV0On4xs4D4S1j9qJ8pYlzgfJeYOTRflXfUM0UGWwOs9yApMtqBxE/s400/Nile.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">It's a very pretty city. Way too clean, and way too nice.<br />In fact it is nicer than most modern cities. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Do not mistake me.<br />
This was no great movie, no great spectacle, no amazing cinematic tour de force. But it was at least a watchable film (I've seen far far worse), and it had a story - even if that story was badly paced and sometime very sloppily executed.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lZOeSyPaaG3HxcwAKUKwdAYdxmJO1D9h9UNVJjsPWsdmJs_ZRQegVmnVfydrCPfCgDM25oqePpIpJcOEVXAxnutHeK-BPWf8x-TJmlkmfZqd_sSv5dCR-SJ50WCKdRvt1R8HtgPRPb9x/s1600/Three-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lZOeSyPaaG3HxcwAKUKwdAYdxmJO1D9h9UNVJjsPWsdmJs_ZRQegVmnVfydrCPfCgDM25oqePpIpJcOEVXAxnutHeK-BPWf8x-TJmlkmfZqd_sSv5dCR-SJ50WCKdRvt1R8HtgPRPb9x/s1600/Three-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">3 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This movie may best be described as a bad super-hero movie wrapped in the guise of Egyptian mythology. That's both its failing and the reason why it still succeeds - in a limited fashion. Heck it has almost broken even at the box office - something of a feat for a movie that was nearly yanked out of the theaters after a week. My local massive theater with 24 screens only had it showing 4x daily after the first week (3D and normal projection combined). When it finally moved to the discount theaters it got just as many show slots. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEo6IYKOwXmnFYIgMTHo24qJGVxHog5Z0sujkup_FHiMp7bche0SSX8LJynaiJMwEY7JA0Pd9K-oTHoGQZr3kRjJ3MjHyXiPteVClue7tgzK_5UMmAQz1EKLB2Pmts1M27gvcyJfxMz5B/s1600/Horus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEo6IYKOwXmnFYIgMTHo24qJGVxHog5Z0sujkup_FHiMp7bche0SSX8LJynaiJMwEY7JA0Pd9K-oTHoGQZr3kRjJ3MjHyXiPteVClue7tgzK_5UMmAQz1EKLB2Pmts1M27gvcyJfxMz5B/s400/Horus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">The contrast of the size of the gods to the humans<br />was a nice touch. The movie was trying. </span></td></tr>
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Considering I also spent exactly $1.00 USD to see the film (excluding drink cost), it was a bargain. I probably would not have felt bad about seeing it on discount Tuesdays for $5.00. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEi7Bnt7wGVNTs_0BusBp6I1h919z_TwTls0i3r50k2H9enSipMymIFg9gxgRyh-Y8s2S0RWTTGokBSWGHQ2tTzVdFlN50-g39KKRtfKlp3nUyupsNGtnuIj4x8ArW-ebOko3qZJrTGGO/s1600/Set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEi7Bnt7wGVNTs_0BusBp6I1h919z_TwTls0i3r50k2H9enSipMymIFg9gxgRyh-Y8s2S0RWTTGokBSWGHQ2tTzVdFlN50-g39KKRtfKlp3nUyupsNGtnuIj4x8ArW-ebOko3qZJrTGGO/s400/Set.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My least favorite casting in the entire movie.</td></tr>
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Wait I know what you are going to say. Isn't this movie 'White Washed?" I wanna say yes and no. Historically speaking we have no absolute idea of what the ancient Egyptian race(s) was / were. There is a very good chance that ancient Egyptians were quite varied. There are theories that Egyptians were black skinned, Asiatic, Caucasian, or even Taranid - a term I had to look up meaning a race resembling the Mongolian Tatars, with yellowish skin. Seriously. Never heard the term before. Now that being said, casting Gerard Butler as Set was just... not the best choice. It is more his accent, one he cannot seem to escape from, that hurts more than his skin tone. The two main female leads (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89lodie_Yung">Élodie Yung</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtney_Eaton">Courtney Eaton</a>) look like they would fit perfectly in ancient Egypt. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolaj_Coster-Waldau">Nikolaj Coster-Waldau</a> is cast just fine as Horus, because the gods are all shiny and golden - just like Jamie Lanister. Thoth played by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chadwick_Boseman">Chadwick Boseman</a> is one of my favorite characters, I always love the nerdy characters, and the dude is going to play Black Panther in <i>Captain America: Civil War</i>. And of course, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Sewell">Rufus Sewell</a>, who actually looks perfect in the part. So the casting is not too terrible. It could have been a bit better... but I've seen worse. John Wayne as Genghis Khan is worse... <br />
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The questionable race thing is bothersome - because honestly movies should not be white-washed. I do not want to see repeats of things like John Wayne as Genghis Khan in<i> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conqueror_%28film%29">The Conqueror</a></i> ever again. There are awesome actors and actress of every race out there and we should be bolstering their box-office power so that movies are more and more believable. (I'm not going into a rant about the upcoming GiTS movie here, or that Scarlett Johansson is a perfectly fine Major Kusanagi - she is, it works, we're all fine here).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtPM2A1u65i55JBtw0j4C-ai1jYZnzuhK1PjccvlBLGWMuCc8zguVkfiQ89Lck6ETzxXKjM7sMrx02Pd-CWyIgcC-8135HrLBLSBpw2bVnuG3bJjsDUw1qqEDLT622CLOBVWlwIq1Qeln/s1600/Thoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtPM2A1u65i55JBtw0j4C-ai1jYZnzuhK1PjccvlBLGWMuCc8zguVkfiQ89Lck6ETzxXKjM7sMrx02Pd-CWyIgcC-8135HrLBLSBpw2bVnuG3bJjsDUw1qqEDLT622CLOBVWlwIq1Qeln/s400/Thoth.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">So this is the guy who is going to be Black Panther?<br />Interesting. </span></td></tr>
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No what hurt this movie is costume design. They mix ancient Egyptian styles with Arabian nights styles with Fezzes and with Power Armor. The power armor is fine - gods are allowed power armor. The other mixture is just insane. It really separates you from the mediocre plot. A mediocre plot does not need me going - "Hey, why was that guy in a fez?"<br />
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The plot is also in need of tightening up. The pacing was off; some things sped by too fast, some too slow. Some parts seem to thrown in just to reference past movies that involves traps in pyramids. Some plot points make little to no sense (there is a scene in an wooden elevator that literally made no sense). Still there are some good lines, an actual attempt at a story, the gods bleed gold (which is just cool looking actually), and some really flashy power-armored fights. Even if too many of those fights involved stupid 3D moments - you know, movements and angles that would never have been used if 3D was not a thing... again. <br />
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I had more than enough fun on $1.00 USD. How often can one say that in the modern world? Almost never.<br />
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Man I'm going to the discount theater more often. If only their chairs did not suck compared to the big cineplex. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-24671348315082008912016-03-26T00:59:00.003-06:002016-05-06T01:20:10.073-06:00Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">A movie whose subtitle should have been the title. </span></td></tr>
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DC does not have a strong track record of super hero movies in my opinion. Now, they are certainly not worse than what ever has happened with the Failtastic Four and recent <i>Spider Man</i> movies. This was better than those... 'movies.' <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Ok. I have to admit something. I had my doubts about this casting.</span> </td></tr>
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The trailers for this movie were borderline interesting. When they introduced Wonder Woman, it became more interesting, as it started to hail closer to the old <i>Justice League </i>cartoons (which are good). At least they were third age trailers, meaning that they showed off characters and actions but very little plot. Well no more plot than what we already knew from the title: Superman and Batman are going to go all Fight Club on each other.<br />
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Now, I'm really torn on a rating. I sat through the entire movie, drinking only some soda, without being too distracted. Now for a movie that (with previews added) lasted three hours and ten minutes that is pretty good. So I was not bored. Points in its favor. However there were times when I was completely confused. Also, while some casting was pretty good... some casting was less than good. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-aWO9_hlxe_-xWT7TkXBbt0KC5bDzwo9YsWSdrn6s29DTMxxWxVHT_PoC0E2KuXMkCz8v-1LckKbT_m9PRCfwYXuw0gUHktw4E3WakSizxiWVZCE4OWuhLrc_hzrJAhQ63RRovavtSrt/s1600/BvS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-aWO9_hlxe_-xWT7TkXBbt0KC5bDzwo9YsWSdrn6s29DTMxxWxVHT_PoC0E2KuXMkCz8v-1LckKbT_m9PRCfwYXuw0gUHktw4E3WakSizxiWVZCE4OWuhLrc_hzrJAhQ63RRovavtSrt/s400/BvS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">There is actually some nice symbolism here. </span></td></tr>
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So I've been torn - do I give the movie three and half or four stars? After looking through some of my older reviews, I've found my placing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1uvMz0kceknZxe0UrWcO6Qxo4krcCiua-rwTitWQ6-dClkAn1VXN0F_-lzhNRQ7TxexQPHZs4nA05t4rYcC6M2tn6wnZFc7-5xFQOL2TlSSz0jQz0XYPXCiqz0OnrbqVbjxcgzLXHP8I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1uvMz0kceknZxe0UrWcO6Qxo4krcCiua-rwTitWQ6-dClkAn1VXN0F_-lzhNRQ7TxexQPHZs4nA05t4rYcC6M2tn6wnZFc7-5xFQOL2TlSSz0jQz0XYPXCiqz0OnrbqVbjxcgzLXHP8I/s1600/Four-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 out of 5 stars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauQDbJbtglxzt0G-ITSFFAdb84g0MqLx7Jru9sUOGpq3wDh7eCSAglzb_GqAE_R64ZfNz7b4HTEERoMznGBQFBsoDTrs6ZVOOxRgmjpyva-eJ2Zzlyp5_OMAznVY8DdrdMTTWvLtXhxci/s1600/WWSMBM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauQDbJbtglxzt0G-ITSFFAdb84g0MqLx7Jru9sUOGpq3wDh7eCSAglzb_GqAE_R64ZfNz7b4HTEERoMznGBQFBsoDTrs6ZVOOxRgmjpyva-eJ2Zzlyp5_OMAznVY8DdrdMTTWvLtXhxci/s400/WWSMBM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Super Wonder Bat!</span></td></tr>
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I'm being maybe a touch generous, by roughly a quarter star. I don't do quarter stars. <br />
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I've recently been binging on <i>Smallville</i>. So I had to see this movie. Yes, I know they occur in different universes (like how <i>Arrow</i>, the <i>Flash</i>, and <i>Legends of Tomorrow</i>, take place in their own universe - and I guess <i>Super Girl</i>). However this tinged some of my perceptions of the cast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIYyyQx1TiwRi3u_ixjhT0zzwzM2Z2pJyYxiQM5WW6ajCvrrWOjwYXeVLRJqpHoOvJhNTZKgjv-cAuvM51Jd_ek3Tm8EkOhbOcSga9o_b51XI43wQXA_OvUBiGxuQYVRVViwkLOxzin3L/s1600/Lex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIYyyQx1TiwRi3u_ixjhT0zzwzM2Z2pJyYxiQM5WW6ajCvrrWOjwYXeVLRJqpHoOvJhNTZKgjv-cAuvM51Jd_ek3Tm8EkOhbOcSga9o_b51XI43wQXA_OvUBiGxuQYVRVViwkLOxzin3L/s400/Lex.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I'm sorry, but this is not Lex Luthor. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBgYkZUhuS_k-VB3PZm7r6ER8F-cA6rcZzDwM1N-wgXpEKgnamgtrVQp6f4BuDpBylEnlKrsPyaUa4oApH1CiZLzzpFmWVj9Hwwhxx8KQNyCw5q4KEwlZS2HiMY4KKKczZIgpbwVshcrr/s1600/Lex-Luthor-Smallville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBgYkZUhuS_k-VB3PZm7r6ER8F-cA6rcZzDwM1N-wgXpEKgnamgtrVQp6f4BuDpBylEnlKrsPyaUa4oApH1CiZLzzpFmWVj9Hwwhxx8KQNyCw5q4KEwlZS2HiMY4KKKczZIgpbwVshcrr/s400/Lex-Luthor-Smallville.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This is Lex Luthor. This is the best Lex Luthor, ever. </span></td></tr>
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Ben Affleck surprised me. I did not think he would make a good Bruce Wayne, let alone a competent Batman. I was wrong, He pulled it off much better than I thought he would. Jeremy Irons as Alfred was a good casting too. Lawrence Fishburne made a good Perry White. I don't even have any issues with Amy Adams as Lois Lane. And Gal Godot (whom I've never seen in anything before) was a good Wonder Woman casting. There were a few other good castings - I'm particularly looking forward to more Jason Mamoa as Aquaman. <br />
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But some casting was less than satisfactory. I'm sorry, but as talented as Jesse Eisenberg is, he is not Lex Luthor. Not to me. He would have made a better Joker... but Lex to me is more eloquent, more calculating, more composed, more charismatic. More Michael Rosenbaum. I was also not thrilled with the casting for Martha Kent. Again, I'm sorry but Annette O'Toole (Smallville) is the iconic Martha Kent. <br />
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Now about the plot / tone of the movie. I'm not going to give a ton of spoilers. I really prefer to avoid as many of those as I can. The tone is very gritty almost noir. Dark foreboding scenes with washed out color (aside from Superman) dominate the movie. Darkness is everywhere, deep shadows, pale colors, gritty whites. The movie has a morose tone drawn from a limited palette of colors. I accept that. It is kind of the way these movies have been going since Nolan's time, or earlier.<br />
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Now then the plot. The first half of the movie was slow, and at times confusing. Because the movie has one tone (as I previously explained) it is not easy to tell dream sequence, from memory, from the present. I'm still not certain about one specific scene, a scene I will not spoil for you, but I think it might have been a dream with a time traveler - maybe? Once the plot coalesces from its many differing sources, the pace of the movie picks right up and the action starts. The action is very good. It has real weight to it, real impact.<br />
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For a nearly three hour long movie, I was not bored. Some things felt rough, some plot threads need a good tugging, and some were probably set ups for the next few movies. <br />
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It's worth a go see. <br />
It's certainly not the best super hero movie ever (I'll always be a bigger fan of Marvel), but it is not the worst by a long shot (take your pick - any Fantastic Four movie, the Hulk films, the Spider Man movies. Those were bad). It's middle of the pack, maybe edging towards the upper layers. <br />
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Now I'm planning on going to see the <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-movie-review.html"><i>Force Awakens</i></a> again in the dollar theater... I need another fix of <i>Star Wars</i>. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-61837708886012393742016-03-04T23:34:00.000-07:002016-07-07T00:43:44.516-06:00Zootopia [Movie Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmnXRibstZ7eB4zLtE3LRhIOfHaW46gEziLJRiBGqsaqSu-gfvXBagIYQbCkISdbkNsvX6Eb4lxZuTOJvd0vrvUSq8Gewwdd4kdGY8zsU4UWX9CiOHtp8RolZO33XDYanwC3AGZw4AsaS/s1600/Zootopia-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmnXRibstZ7eB4zLtE3LRhIOfHaW46gEziLJRiBGqsaqSu-gfvXBagIYQbCkISdbkNsvX6Eb4lxZuTOJvd0vrvUSq8Gewwdd4kdGY8zsU4UWX9CiOHtp8RolZO33XDYanwC3AGZw4AsaS/s640/Zootopia-logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
A little less than a year ago I went on a tear, covering a whole spate of Disney animated films rapidly (found here: <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/wreck-it-ralph-movie-review.html"><i>Wreck-it Ralph</i></a>, <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/disney-animation-trifecta-wall-e.html"><i>Wall-E, Tangled, Frozen</i></a>, and <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/disneys-brave-movie-review.html"><i>Brave</i></a>). Aside from <i>Brave</i>, this is the first Disney animated movie I've seen in theaters since... Pocahontas? And if you must know, that was released in 1995.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonm8Ecc4q3DT4MoYTB6jmyhPzU1SVegWEA9L5Rzna4T6WtId5-ck-WfU3Iq6xcBL-mREwzeil4ukJtRzZ2N-j283IZB0yYsy3rGrtGWu45lYmuo0R98yjCmMo041VwUNPTF_7efr0YRgg/s1600/zootopia-judy-hopps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonm8Ecc4q3DT4MoYTB6jmyhPzU1SVegWEA9L5Rzna4T6WtId5-ck-WfU3Iq6xcBL-mREwzeil4ukJtRzZ2N-j283IZB0yYsy3rGrtGWu45lYmuo0R98yjCmMo041VwUNPTF_7efr0YRgg/s640/zootopia-judy-hopps.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Our main protagonist, Judy, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwyn.</span></td></tr>
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I loved this movie.<br />
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I know I say that a lot about films, but this one was just so much fun, had such a great story, and had so many powerful messages.<br />
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It also made hilarious references to other movies, had spectacular voice acting, and my personal favorite... it had very powerful, realistic (given that they are anthropomorphized mammals), relatable, and developed characters. Give me quality characters any day and I'm a happy happy guy. It comes from my own film school experiences where the 'character centered screenplay' was paramount.<br />
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Oh yeah, I should give this film a star rating.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtcAfGqJQlYzdbSC4jMtvlSBsHjQ9Ne1HbzQQWXO_3EHYEXYCtyFYVu0mxdcB3VS-Yq_zbDYGzPlWVcglF8b7FaP6AArjj5v6G7acMfXQOdn-udaBzZwEZn8Fs4jXJqeng7Zh5frFl0Vg/s1600/Five-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtcAfGqJQlYzdbSC4jMtvlSBsHjQ9Ne1HbzQQWXO_3EHYEXYCtyFYVu0mxdcB3VS-Yq_zbDYGzPlWVcglF8b7FaP6AArjj5v6G7acMfXQOdn-udaBzZwEZn8Fs4jXJqeng7Zh5frFl0Vg/s1600/Five-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am very satisfied with that rating. So satisfied, I'm planning on seeing this movie again real soon.<br /><b>UPDATE</b>: I saw Zootopia a total of four times in theaters (twice in normal run, and twice in second run theaters)... and I've watched my BD copy more than several times... So yeah. I am very very satisfied with my 5 Star rating.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ureu_E-uVxP6asYoi9xVJY6BXe7M6PCYx5xujNdLRVdIHPK8qGvlW1J-2ttGvnOopkrmzoFeFFXF2NeRkwgvOJLElUOp8B4xBy9Qbl0DiLcSYdgXMvyEmCMGCg_ZbVGMNFPutOHeurIj/s1600/zootopia-nick-wilde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ureu_E-uVxP6asYoi9xVJY6BXe7M6PCYx5xujNdLRVdIHPK8qGvlW1J-2ttGvnOopkrmzoFeFFXF2NeRkwgvOJLElUOp8B4xBy9Qbl0DiLcSYdgXMvyEmCMGCg_ZbVGMNFPutOHeurIj/s640/zootopia-nick-wilde.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Judy's foil, Nicholas, voiced by Jason Bateman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO7BAgm660022Twp29n3_gfZeWORFZPOja5bZJg5-nbwGJJSHLlzxdiosuQnNhp5xgSCrV687saKWLR0QKQOVIv8KNgWU761rZHxKB8-k3YwN5fC4krsE88tAtNDt8mkMYhANrx_HTpCd/s1600/Idris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO7BAgm660022Twp29n3_gfZeWORFZPOja5bZJg5-nbwGJJSHLlzxdiosuQnNhp5xgSCrV687saKWLR0QKQOVIv8KNgWU761rZHxKB8-k3YwN5fC4krsE88tAtNDt8mkMYhANrx_HTpCd/s400/Idris.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Chief Bogo, voiced by Idris Elba! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am going to try my hardest to avoid spoiling anything in the film because I want you, yes, you reading this, whomever you are, to go and see this film.<br />
<br />
Why? Because it is that good.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbYkNrttkBahBP2-51Lf4IxgRfH1hkUP_GUzvdEDGbzHhSVn2fj7fm8RpcUOtFOM6kIKeiHuVrThOHfS_M9hWyr7UQfqK2KAKepaurkUzwXeuF3RK-aKwd0B_6rjCkJI7OZ75LzO97fZ3/s1600/Mayor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbYkNrttkBahBP2-51Lf4IxgRfH1hkUP_GUzvdEDGbzHhSVn2fj7fm8RpcUOtFOM6kIKeiHuVrThOHfS_M9hWyr7UQfqK2KAKepaurkUzwXeuF3RK-aKwd0B_6rjCkJI7OZ75LzO97fZ3/s400/Mayor.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Mayor Lionheart (of course), voiced by J.K. Simmons. <br />He has a very recognizable voice. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This movie jams more messages into it per minute than I could possibly try and relate. It has messages concerning racism, naturalism (ie: the idea that nature is innate), bigotry, fear, segregation, suspicion, stereotyping, good cops vs the thin blue line, dreams, dedication, friendship, forgiveness, responsibility...<br />
<br />
There are more. There are more, but I can't possibly list them all.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ljYN1y466_2BBqcZ6IpKveckQK7Nq2Tss-Dhy_m4g8Hn7dftc6fPwSwOC8WsmzEkV7nNMWLc_NE2i8ciyxIMf0LHOeXR1Ov9l97z147HOY9Gk53gaR8dpfbY4JZYe3vgvHL7ijKjndvJ/s1600/zootopia_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ljYN1y466_2BBqcZ6IpKveckQK7Nq2Tss-Dhy_m4g8Hn7dftc6fPwSwOC8WsmzEkV7nNMWLc_NE2i8ciyxIMf0LHOeXR1Ov9l97z147HOY9Gk53gaR8dpfbY4JZYe3vgvHL7ijKjndvJ/s400/zootopia_2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">News anchors of ZTV.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The story is not the most complex or original. But it does not have to be. There is too much emphasis on trying to make original stories (of which there are none - all stories have been told before, it is all in the telling) that sometimes telling a good story is forgotten. Not here. This is a good story. A solid story. One that is relatable for almost all ages, which is also what makes it such a good thing. There is plenty for the older folks, but not so much that the younger viewers will not enjoy the film.<br />
<br />
So take your family, but please be courteous to others. <br />
<br />
Now for a strange aside... <br />
<br />
I am completely jealous that all of these very different mammals have a far better, and more epic city than humans. <br />
<br />
Sorry, that was a weird aside, but it was true. I loved the Palm-Tree Tower. Very cool. I'd live there. <br />
<br />
And like all Disney films, there is music. However unlike <i>Tangled</i> and <i>Frozen</i>, there is not a lot. This is more of a <i>Wreck-it Ralph</i> affair. There is really just one major vocal song, sung by Shakira. It was pretty good... I rather liked it and I have no experience with her music (Is it 80s, J-pop, or video-game based? Nope... then I probably do not know it).<br />
<br />
Still, I'll probably grab it for my collection of movie music.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclexOd4J0RvmrykjHR303e4qtsRCQ29aRZmhKkMTJX4RuOLLaCPaXj5p76rdFkL2jbmCQjOcS-d3NlOTd1hT2Df1_D6kxQPcbNVmY6UeQVBROXYTNNFLCoYzKK2qUdxJ4Ijkmf519O3iD/s1600/Gazelle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclexOd4J0RvmrykjHR303e4qtsRCQ29aRZmhKkMTJX4RuOLLaCPaXj5p76rdFkL2jbmCQjOcS-d3NlOTd1hT2Df1_D6kxQPcbNVmY6UeQVBROXYTNNFLCoYzKK2qUdxJ4Ijkmf519O3iD/s400/Gazelle.png" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Shakira as Gazelle. Fun song. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-42273374336780338622016-02-16T00:24:00.000-07:002016-05-06T01:26:25.317-06:00Deadpool [Movie Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPqc2_9wWQARoVe5k9gbUcFxaGtL96AiOvYeYYgpcmLwwMlr9_4JO3kHPvkVJ8kAovy_h2vKe_EGhpW04IoHgsi46QPCgL5NLwwGmIDGfQI5Xg7DjdWzn32hg54nYoNCe3JsQYYV9hkbL/s1600/Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPqc2_9wWQARoVe5k9gbUcFxaGtL96AiOvYeYYgpcmLwwMlr9_4JO3kHPvkVJ8kAovy_h2vKe_EGhpW04IoHgsi46QPCgL5NLwwGmIDGfQI5Xg7DjdWzn32hg54nYoNCe3JsQYYV9hkbL/s640/Poster.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
I had to sit and think about this movie for a long time before I could decide on a rating.<br />
It was not an easy decision. Keep in mind that I do not read 99% of modern American comics (the new Star Wars comics are the exception). I did not have the immediate reaction I had with <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/02/where-to-invade-next-documentary-movie.html"><i>Where to Invade Next</i></a>.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjANT2Bxmlx0X6pgrK-OczlsIehdo3RvwIlbjxNMRkezt2wumku6oeiBi35KEBgnqBSMGsIhrWIRtH5DhHWwmN4QAQR0cTVi2KDLF0VhM0fMdqH9eqWJt595kDAlMTJjmu4Ow9KuibLYz/s1600/deadpool-romantic-movie-poster-ryan-reynolds-social.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjANT2Bxmlx0X6pgrK-OczlsIehdo3RvwIlbjxNMRkezt2wumku6oeiBi35KEBgnqBSMGsIhrWIRtH5DhHWwmN4QAQR0cTVi2KDLF0VhM0fMdqH9eqWJt595kDAlMTJjmu4Ow9KuibLYz/s640/deadpool-romantic-movie-poster-ryan-reynolds-social.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This was the best advertisement for this movie... ever.</span><i><span style="color: yellow;"> </span> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL90NWQPo2T3ugWpsgmUZogYHFxDm1E6AqqE7h1I5AEfFbTUKdufFSO6FAJ9pV4pXO77Jr8UM2sRxqkjTXE5dFNC1LNxJ_zBY79uLYfoAv9joS9Ur3EtxQT4W3TPnVTV36wWgjeH9jY2o2/s1600/deadpool-smell.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL90NWQPo2T3ugWpsgmUZogYHFxDm1E6AqqE7h1I5AEfFbTUKdufFSO6FAJ9pV4pXO77Jr8UM2sRxqkjTXE5dFNC1LNxJ_zBY79uLYfoAv9joS9Ur3EtxQT4W3TPnVTV36wWgjeH9jY2o2/s640/deadpool-smell.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">It smells like R-rated Victory. <br />I applaud <i>Deadpool</i> for the largest weekend opening for an <br />R-rated movie... ever, so far. That is impressive.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At least unlike some movies that I though and thought and thought about, this one did not get downgraded. I have stories about how much I slowly came to hate the most recent Robin Hood movie... the one from 2010. The more I stewed over that movie, the less I liked it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLuvJ8VTRLTVOdYvWMMIWGhj-n40aiky4ozZD-whDzdRDFObygc7aTDf1IX1h1GZJZEngkVLIFhWWPBKmg8QEZWNahblYAUUHaJJkeUGzJ4KUg3Z3ew9jpIc7CP1YXKuQ826sjHIa_YZ9/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLuvJ8VTRLTVOdYvWMMIWGhj-n40aiky4ozZD-whDzdRDFObygc7aTDf1IX1h1GZJZEngkVLIFhWWPBKmg8QEZWNahblYAUUHaJJkeUGzJ4KUg3Z3ew9jpIc7CP1YXKuQ826sjHIa_YZ9/s1600/Four+n+Half-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">4.5 out of 5 stars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAol1zRPpO7ju0Qj4Ta37dISYcKdZkOheFliIyT2vtmonGosQ8jQhiGxWLS99_QOsaQdug0iqke6EiLWEzqIEmus5hTo1yCTqSZIa1xttPsRbrmQ-Q8UB5WicrW0AiJ0FDmjXMKKpRtqcp/s1600/deadpool-ryan-reynolds-morena-baccarin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAol1zRPpO7ju0Qj4Ta37dISYcKdZkOheFliIyT2vtmonGosQ8jQhiGxWLS99_QOsaQdug0iqke6EiLWEzqIEmus5hTo1yCTqSZIa1xttPsRbrmQ-Q8UB5WicrW0AiJ0FDmjXMKKpRtqcp/s400/deadpool-ryan-reynolds-morena-baccarin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">It took me forever to realize what I had seen <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1072555/?ref_=tt_cl_t15" itemprop="url"><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><br />Morena Baccarin </span></a>in before... Firefly! Stupid me. <br />She is hot. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not the case for <i>Deadpool</i>.<br />
<br />
So, that too is good for it.<br />
<br />
Here's what really won me over.<br />
I laughed a lot. <br />
But even better, I remember the jokes. Lasting humor. That sold me.<br />
<br />
I've also given up trying to rank my favorite Marvel movies. I don't think I can do it anymore. There are too many movies, and too many I really enjoy. It's kinda like watching Star Wars or Harry Potter... I don't just watch one of those films, I watch them all in order. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV5xj5LqgYdZctz4Ii_x9O0_mxj7tclJB8xPJznNO0UjjNBwzSAn_zOACsaioQuOysVV1PZx_CMoXRB8Dedpjj1fXNKTg_Knywvaea7d3N_friZQKbapeB7FVxEVLV9ZaM_jT3azbm2Os/s1600/andre-tricoteux-as-colossus-in-deadpool.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV5xj5LqgYdZctz4Ii_x9O0_mxj7tclJB8xPJznNO0UjjNBwzSAn_zOACsaioQuOysVV1PZx_CMoXRB8Dedpjj1fXNKTg_Knywvaea7d3N_friZQKbapeB7FVxEVLV9ZaM_jT3azbm2Os/s400/andre-tricoteux-as-colossus-in-deadpool.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I thought he was going to suffer from the Worf Effect,<br />but honestly, he was not important enough for that.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Deadpool</i> joins my Marvel movie watch order.<br />
<br />
I was uncertain about it before actually entering the theater. You see, I really try to not buy into the hype of a movie, if I can avoid it. It can be difficult.<br />
<br />
So I was refusing the hype as best I could.<br />
<br />
But lets discuss the meat of the movie.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmTUvTISQ9IkLDW4SA12K-iVPJBjewJhlTC517kv_4gU6xQm-0WtYAwbJ3en-cNyLq-3YhSjBS3jHblp9F5Csrl7hHlTcOVqSVO8SNtxH7i1TtizJZHksLtYtp0D0gEkjVcEvtqUDNMnW/s1600/deadpool-gallery-07-NTW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmTUvTISQ9IkLDW4SA12K-iVPJBjewJhlTC517kv_4gU6xQm-0WtYAwbJ3en-cNyLq-3YhSjBS3jHblp9F5Csrl7hHlTcOVqSVO8SNtxH7i1TtizJZHksLtYtp0D0gEkjVcEvtqUDNMnW/s400/deadpool-gallery-07-NTW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Negasonic Teenage Warhead. <br />Negasonic. WTF. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was well constructed with a combination of flashbacks and <i>Deadpool </i>style fourth wall breaking. I have to admit, that was what worried me the most. Would that actually be funny?<br />
<br />
Yes. Yes, it was. Some of my favorite jokes come from those moments, but I will not spoil them. You need to see it and enjoy it for yourself.<br />
<br />
But the story was solid. Which is all I really ask for in a movie. A good solid story. (I'm not talking plot, I am talking story - there is a subtle difference in literature / film.)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAQ2-MmyFUUS4xgKwK_8vl0n1VOQuKG7gEvuuRi2nKOOJdY5NGLINUqK0WzhsyYERzI9Ij2-fU9cOK1E2Av0hzDZDcxv3jVkGP1sI5SxcuFSZiVhMI8Eiap43zAGn-eXY3nzOAhtd6ktE/s1600/deadpool-gallery-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAQ2-MmyFUUS4xgKwK_8vl0n1VOQuKG7gEvuuRi2nKOOJdY5NGLINUqK0WzhsyYERzI9Ij2-fU9cOK1E2Av0hzDZDcxv3jVkGP1sI5SxcuFSZiVhMI8Eiap43zAGn-eXY3nzOAhtd6ktE/s400/deadpool-gallery-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">This villain was Angel Dust... who is that? Is she<br />from X-men? Deadpool? Something else? Both?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have lots of lingering questions... but most of them are not about important parts of the movie.<br />
<br />
How much of the X-men universe, which I do know is Marvel, is going to be mixed into the MCU? There are rumors of Spiderman being in Civil War, might there be even more cross-overs from the MCU into X-men, and visa-versa? Do we retcon in the X-men films into the MCU? Will Deadpool appear in any of the other MCU films now?<br />
<br />
And what is up with the name Negasonic Teenage Warhead? That is just... awful.<br />
<br />
Still certainly an impressively fun movie with an R-rating. It got that rating more for the gratuitous use of the word f*ck than anything else... but it actually made moments in the movie seem more real. Reactions that deserve that expletive got that expletive.<br />
<br />
I say, go see this movie.<br />
Go with the understanding that this is not a tame film, not an all ages film.<br />
But still go. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eiILTvEuaaR0G28YjWzQsGCiTsohJQAn9Xca8nC_gicKV5wehATRjkkH1uLYOVGGfWgQX785_NRrQ6S8LzWtoZzM0JA5A6haFcUvj4O_OnIw17wJpt1UELfD9Fsx8AZxBYioFhvWylk2/s1600/Deadpool_Negasonic_Teenage_Warhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eiILTvEuaaR0G28YjWzQsGCiTsohJQAn9Xca8nC_gicKV5wehATRjkkH1uLYOVGGfWgQX785_NRrQ6S8LzWtoZzM0JA5A6haFcUvj4O_OnIw17wJpt1UELfD9Fsx8AZxBYioFhvWylk2/s640/Deadpool_Negasonic_Teenage_Warhead.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Almost all serious scenes have a very short half life. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some previous Marvel Movie reviews (sadly not MCU because Fox is not Disney):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2013/12/thor-dark-world-movie-review.html">Thor: The Dark World</a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/04/captain-america-winter-soldier-movie.html">Captain America Winter Soldier</a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2014/08/guardians-of-galaxy-movie-review.html">Guardians of the Galaxy</a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/05/avengers-2-age-of-ultron-movie-review.html">Avengers 2: Age of Ultron</a><br />
<a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2015/07/ant-man-movie-review.html">Ant-Man</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472437559196651598.post-76162243801727919232016-02-14T02:04:00.000-07:002016-05-06T01:27:25.794-06:00Where to Invade Next [Documentary Movie Review]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5EnwylY6DOQOG08Qc1AJN56MA3D1gQkTD-56lGh98kcH9coewh7YuabHEu0pYRkZG1Njd2Y7peEPQmv0YUjMgdkRAKiaukjvyaAbKjsHKmJnmr_OyWOVeqJHucPlIHp_LeMRojr-ZVB_/s1600/Where-to-Invade-Next_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5EnwylY6DOQOG08Qc1AJN56MA3D1gQkTD-56lGh98kcH9coewh7YuabHEu0pYRkZG1Njd2Y7peEPQmv0YUjMgdkRAKiaukjvyaAbKjsHKmJnmr_OyWOVeqJHucPlIHp_LeMRojr-ZVB_/s640/Where-to-Invade-Next_poster.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
I've seen two movies this weekend. The first was <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/02/deadpool-movie-review.html"><i>Deadpool</i></a>, the second was this... <i>Where to Invade Next</i>. I had to think on <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/02/deadpool-movie-review.html"><i>Deadpool</i></a>, debating my rating. Which is why I'm doing this review first. I had no problem figuring out how to review this documentary movie.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVisWE_4onbCwwgdgx7CPohLgvL7mS0LJczD3Px5Estzl2GQ2Q3k522ejTVcegFJKxsNnk_rouvENcUyiasZl3kd8rq3axtJYUPcNQLXNyTEQFaXXT57jdpBd1ffuBBfJ1mXZBiXIEgQZ/s1600/Dissallusioning+Italians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVisWE_4onbCwwgdgx7CPohLgvL7mS0LJczD3Px5Estzl2GQ2Q3k522ejTVcegFJKxsNnk_rouvENcUyiasZl3kd8rq3axtJYUPcNQLXNyTEQFaXXT57jdpBd1ffuBBfJ1mXZBiXIEgQZ/s400/Dissallusioning+Italians.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">In this scene Micheal Moore destroys the illusions of some very nice <br />Italians. Yes, Italy has its own problems... but some of the stuff it does do<br />right, it does oh so very right.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This movie was amazing.<br />
<br />
It was educational.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtcAfGqJQlYzdbSC4jMtvlSBsHjQ9Ne1HbzQQWXO_3EHYEXYCtyFYVu0mxdcB3VS-Yq_zbDYGzPlWVcglF8b7FaP6AArjj5v6G7acMfXQOdn-udaBzZwEZn8Fs4jXJqeng7Zh5frFl0Vg/s1600/Five-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtcAfGqJQlYzdbSC4jMtvlSBsHjQ9Ne1HbzQQWXO_3EHYEXYCtyFYVu0mxdcB3VS-Yq_zbDYGzPlWVcglF8b7FaP6AArjj5v6G7acMfXQOdn-udaBzZwEZn8Fs4jXJqeng7Zh5frFl0Vg/s1600/Five-star.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">5 out of 5 stars.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's hard to describe this movie in just a few words. The movie is too big to easily sum up, but I will try. <br />
<br />
There may be spoilers. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOVbel4z6tpLpCvjRKw0zN6i440imIPWQmAi7TxIJoEsZpxE8rEZMhStjnYbGYYhslfRnJJUn2YyZJGxam67ciCdlsh1DwurzbRsAewb7a6cmN_9NXD36lxFkMBZkBZ-PdbzfB7MUTr96/s1600/Moore-Flag-Eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOVbel4z6tpLpCvjRKw0zN6i440imIPWQmAi7TxIJoEsZpxE8rEZMhStjnYbGYYhslfRnJJUn2YyZJGxam67ciCdlsh1DwurzbRsAewb7a6cmN_9NXD36lxFkMBZkBZ-PdbzfB7MUTr96/s400/Moore-Flag-Eye.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Nice effect.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First let me simply cover the journey.<br />
<br />
The story is already widely known. Micheal Moore is traveling around the world, invading other countries and taking what they do best back to the United States. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtq6IYKrcPHxleoLmzNj35Sg0DYd6hsVT8UDHuYwSiceE__k9AgC7PT9mNQvpRfC2nwnTKJtLlVvBRZ20moG1_cvH_Wr19bEy7_hwk9n8HzZWc3knulM-YDt2yTpaNQnkTTDYpNg5KJlX/s1600/Plaques.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtq6IYKrcPHxleoLmzNj35Sg0DYd6hsVT8UDHuYwSiceE__k9AgC7PT9mNQvpRfC2nwnTKJtLlVvBRZ20moG1_cvH_Wr19bEy7_hwk9n8HzZWc3knulM-YDt2yTpaNQnkTTDYpNg5KJlX/s400/Plaques.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">These are found around Germany. They are reminders.<br />Here worked Arthur Kroner, born 1874. Disenfranchised.<br />Aligned in death 2nd April 1943. <br />No German forgets.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He visits Italy, France, Germany, Slovenia, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Tunisia. Yeah, that last one should really give you pause, and what it does better than the USA is something you would never ever expect. <br />
<br />
You learn things about the world in this movie that I would be willing to bet that most Americans do not know. Especially the bit about Tunisia. I learned something about every country, even Norway segment in which I assumed I knew the subject pretty well.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6OEXc0oygnUfW3PLutSsAf6D_UdCqc7yZCLeEhAoY3n24kyuHCP-zBHt-UZJnBL6Ez4FB4I3RuSBSBVkvXU-A8RiT0aCvV5qCH05N3-7MDFHISX8HZP05IRtsik5lyrCtCsCjmYfoj-7/s1600/Terrifying+French+Children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6OEXc0oygnUfW3PLutSsAf6D_UdCqc7yZCLeEhAoY3n24kyuHCP-zBHt-UZJnBL6Ez4FB4I3RuSBSBVkvXU-A8RiT0aCvV5qCH05N3-7MDFHISX8HZP05IRtsik5lyrCtCsCjmYfoj-7/s400/Terrifying+French+Children.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">French school children get an hour for lunch, they get<br />a four course meal, and drink water not soda. It is treated<br />as a lesson in proper diet and nutrition.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But I want to talk about the German segment the most. The German segment has several parts. The first is about the quality of jobs in Germany, their strong middle class, the strength of their unions, and the power of their workers in the corporate sphere. Then there is the bit about stress relief, which is pretty nice.<br />
<br />
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But the poignant bit was about history, acknowledgement, and responsibility. We all know the dark past of Germany. WWII and the Holocaust. All over Germany (and in 17 other countries too) there are these little plaques, stolperstein (stumbling blocks), that commemorate the victims of the Nazi regime. There are over 48,000 of these - the worlds largest memorial. There are signs all over that list out facts of the Holocaust. These are not pleasant reminders. However they serve a very important purpose. They do not allow Germans to forget the past. They ensure that the errors of the past, the horrors of the past, are never forgotten and never allowed to repeat again. German school children from a very young age are taught about the holocaust. The very country that committed the holocaust owns up to its own dark past, meanwhile I'm sitting in a nation where there are groups of holocaust deniers (yes, I know Germany has Neo-Nazis... but they stick out, our little freaks do not).<br />
<br />
It hurt to watch.<br />
It. Hurt. To. Watch.<br />
<br />
What if America did the same thing? Wall Street was built by slaves. Wall Street was a slave market. Imagine the tone of that place if everyday you went to work, buying and trading lives and livelihoods, and were reminded that hundreds of years ago, just up the street from where you are, they did the same thing. Only they were more up front about it. They sold the physical people. Our nation would be covered in stolperstein too... from the Indian Relocations, the slave trade, the Japanese Internment, and more. We'd have to acknowledge our gruesome, often inhuman, past, instead of white washing it as so many a textbook from Texas tries to do. <br />
<br />
I've gone into detail on one segment of the movie, on one country. There were at least nine countries he visited, and that means that there are lessons and more to learned from eight more.<br />
<br />
You need to see this film, I do not care about what side of the political aisle you stand on. This movie was about something very simple, human dignity. And because of that this movie will fill you with shame, embarrassment, rage, joy, and hope. <br />
<br />
Hammer, Chisel, Down. <br />
<br />
Hammer, Chisel, Down.<br />
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<br />
And yes, the <a href="http://sleeplessronin.blogspot.com/2016/02/deadpool-movie-review.html"><i>Deadpool</i></a> review is coming...<br />
[Update] It is now done, link above. <br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0