Film Review: Oblivion

Oblivion is set many years in the future, where the Earth was all but lost in a war that pitted Scavengers vs The Humans, in which the war was won, but left the earth and its moon literally in ruins. The Scavs own the ground, as they stake out for any suspicious activity. Jack Harper (played by Tom Cruise) is one of the few survivors left with the sole duty of tracking day-to-day operations of alien drones, ocean-borne power stations and any enemy movement. He and his partner, Victoria (Andrea Risenborough), are set on Tower 49, where they work as a team to do this on a constant basis towards being effective with one another. He handles the gruff work, while she offers assistance from that very tower. Sally (Melissa Leo) is the station commander and the head of the "Tet" a massive space station that orbits around the earth. Then, suddenly, things go awry when Harper discovers that everything isn't what it seems, even his purpose comes into question. He has these strange memories of a past before the war and memories his wife (Olga Kurylenko). And this is where the film loses it, as far as a decent story goes. The film just sits idle, failing to give the audience an idea of what is happening in its empty construct. The characters aren't any better, either; as Cruise and Risenborough have little resemblance of chemistry with one another, considering the importance of their own objectives. Morgan Freeman is seemingly out of place once we're introduced to his one-note character Malcolm Beech, who does tell Harper what exactly happened to this world but it all feels so bare, thanks to the underwhelming character development. Beech is perhaps the weakest character here because he's played straight by Freeman, which can be blamed more on the weak script rather than the execution. I say this despite the best part of the film being Kurylenko, who does enough to make the scenes her own (Yes, the bland Bond girl from Quantum of Solace was, ironically, the best character here). Yet, what gets Oblivion far is it fantastic vision set by Director Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda, who captures the war-torn Earth with shots of destroyed landmarks, like The Pentagon and the Washington Monument, for example, it's by far, the best thing about this film. Most of the filming takes place in Iceland, while the rest of it is set in parts of Louisiana and California (namely with scenes set in June Lake). But, the magnificent locales can come off as filler to compliment a movie stuck in...well, Oblivion. Pretty much, there's hardly one other thing that is redeemable of this film. It's empty, lifeless and most of all, it's underwhelming.

Movie Review: Iron Man 3

I was pretty much done with the story of Tony Stark after the sketchy nature of Iron Man 2 and its woefully underdeveloped villain, Whiplash, played by Mickey Rourke, who looked as if he wanted no part of that role. It was formulaic, by-the-numbers film that was a total downer to those that appreciated the first film for bring a fresh take into the world of the well-known industrial billionaire. Iron Man 3 does manage to salvage all of the previous wrongs from the previous film. Set after the events of The Avengers, Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) is affected by the events during his adventure with the S.H.I.E.L.D. led program; the bumps and shock of the incident hurt his self-absorbed psyche. He has trouble sleeping and he obsesses over his work and keeps remembering the events in New York. The movie references the city without prior knowledge of the incident. The main adversary in this installment is Aldrich Killian, played by Guy Pearce, who heads an alternative to Stark enterprises and runs a project, alongside, Dr. Maya Hansen, played by Rebecca Hall, that fixes severe injuries or conditions. The experiment is called "Extremis," which gives people regeneration abilities and superhuman strength; it can also keep up with neutral patterns, including pain receptors. Basically, its Nano machines to the extreme! While the people on the program are imposing, in a way, the concept doesn't give much into what this thing does; it only implied what these people do. The plot can be confusing, due to how the Extremis is applied as a conduit to the main story, which is good, if flawed. Which leads me to The Mandarin is...well, different. He is known as a terrorist, but, there's a pretty surprising twist to his intricate story in this film, which will disappoint the faithful readers of the comic book. The character that many anticipated would be a worthy foe to Iron Man is…..different, to say the least. Aside from some questionable decisions and some weird choices, Iron Man 3 is a better than the last Iron Man, which seemed lost with its identity. Downey Jr. gives a great performance and so the same can be said of co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Pearce and Ben Kingsley, who plays The Mandarin. The visual presentation also impresses with solid stunt work and incredible action scenes. The sequence where Iron Man had to save White House personnel was pretty fun, I must say and while most of them are pretty cool to watch, I did have one particular problem with these scenes: They move too fast. Any moment you blink throughout anyone of them, you’ll miss what happened. It’s as if the editor didn't want some of these scenes to develop into completion. Director Shane Black did enough to fix the Iron Man brand. The film has a great cast; it’s well-written (with a few hammy lines, in-between) and looks great. Hopefully, next time, a film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe wouldn't try to be like Superman III by trying really hard to be funny, because, it’s never a good thing for your film to do that, given the backlash received from that movie. This isn't to say that this movie isn't funny, because I chuckled a bit throughout the movie, though, I’d prefer the humor to be more subtle and you’ll realize that your movie is in trouble when this fictional material becomes cheeky spy noir and is hamming up the comedy out of desperation late. It was a little too much for an otherwise solid movie.

A Good Day to Die Hard (Movie Review)

Perplexing to think that there have been five of these films and the formula still works, bargain if you care for middling supporting characters that fail to rival the genius of Hans Gruber from the original Die Hard. A Good Day to Die Hard (yes, that’s the actual title) is the latest installment of the series that has managed to outlive its worth. While I didn't enjoy the character depth of the supporting cast nor the forgettable plot, I was able to forgive the insipid activity of the action sequences; they do have a charming place within the franchise. The setting is in Russia, where John McClain’s son, Jack, is on a mission from the CIA to prevent the prosecution of a whistle blower. Then, like in every Die Hard film, McClain Sr. has to welcome us all back into the party and witness wise cracks, one-liners and charm. Bruce Willis, to his credit does a good job of making his venerable protagonist relevant in a digital age and looks good doing it too at the spry age of 58; Pretty impressive. Though, the biggest flaw with the setting is that we never get a proper introduction to Moscow (the film’s setting); and, there’s no sense of patience as there seems to be no kind of stoppage in the action; it’s as if the writer infused no pacing. Director John Moore tries too hard at modernizing a dying genre with outplayed elements (i.e. slow-motion) to exists as a destructive playground for us to witness. There’s a chase scene that, at times, defies the laws of physics with weight distribution and collision detection. Example, say you’re chasing down a 4x4 monster truck and an SUV challenges it to a game of bumper tag. The SUV, amazingly, manages to take down the four-wheeler by trapping it into a ramp. But, yeah, that really DID happen in my verbal dramatization of the sequence that I referred to. Logic officially left my mind, from that point; and, when I didn't care for a proper introduction or a decent plot device, Die Hard 5 manages to be entertaining, regardless. That scene and its visually distracting climax are funny in their individual inanity. Jai Courtney, who plays the son of John McClain, is serviceable without being too much of a burden to the McClain legacy, so to speak. Mary Elizabeth Winstead does return from the fourth film, though in a lesser role here. German actor Sebastian Koch plays the whistle blower and does an OK job with what he has to deal with, it’s just too bad that he’s bare. Now that I've covered, exhaustively, how confusing things are in this film and how it distorted my perception of reality, I did like it, despite how ridiculous things turned out, overall. The core villain (if you can tell who is the main antagonist) underwhelmed and the same for Jack McClain. The film does pay homage to the original film in sequences, which was cool, if unnecessary; but, if all you’re looking for is something that’s big, dumb and absurd, you’ll enjoy this film. Just be sure to turn your brain off in order to enjoy the nonsense.

Upcoming Blogs for 2013

Spring/Summer 1) The Paywall Conflict 2) The Xenomorph Conflict (Alien 3 retrospective) 3) Devil May Cry 2 (retrospective from Sulia) 4) Dark City: The best Sci-Fi adventure at the worst time 5) The News Hysteria 6) Concussions in Sports 7) Occasional film reviews 8) "Frontline" and journalism's fate (from Sulia) 9) The Shield Overview 10) The Hacking Scandal Update 11) Prometheus: Second Opinion 12) The Superman franchise (1978-2006) Fall: 1) Midterm preview (Politics) 2) Metal Gear Solid (15 year retrospective) 3) Chase for the Sprint Cup (preview and review from Sulia) 4) The Wire Overview 5) The Matrix Retrospective (TBD) So Long, Broward College

Singularity by Choice (Valentine's Day 2013)

Dealing with rejection was something I was never good at, you know? In my various attempts towards extend a relationship into something more than just "friendly", nice guys like me had a tendency to be susceptible to failing for the "you're close, but, no cigar" phrase, knowing hard and well that you badly want to end the drought of heartbreak. You've worked so hard and determined that she was going to be the only to realize that either she may not be into you or she has a boyfriend, or is simply isn't your type. So, at 25 years of age, I’ve been doing some thinking about pursuing a relationship, but, I’m at a place where I’m content with being out of the romance market, and, quite frankly, I haven’t missed it. For 4 years, I broke up with a woman that I had a great appreciation for and had a good run with her for two solid years, until, I realized it was time that we find ourselves and separate. I dated briefly in 2009 and 2010 and hardly came up with a satisfying result. Then, I considered that I was trying too hard to be "committed" than to just "observe" as a way to prove that I'm capable of dealing with the responsibilities of a long-term relationship. Alas, I haven't committed to anyone in this span and, quite frankly, I'm too devoted toward doing better and not in this passive aggressive sense of getting better (being hard working, living it up, etc.). For too long, being in the brunt of someone else's ideals was never a good thing for me, as I kept relying on false rumors and misconceptions of having to live up to someone's expectations to score a relationship with women. Doubly, I’m probably not the only one who does think about that all the time, especially with all the temptations around. It's hard not to look without getting caught peaking at folks walking around an area of any kind, we all do it, even beneath our indiscretions. Urges are a constant habit, if you're a man, even when all you're doing is constantly thinking about how you'll fess up to that "magical goddess". For now, being liberated from the worries of catering to the needs of making this all work is a needed break than just going through the ponderous cycles of saying "Girl, you've been on my mind, all day long". This isn't my call to request singularity and forgo my quest in pursuing an everlasting love, this is not what this is about for me and in the trends of clichés regarding love and I’m not pursuing any type of person who resembles any annoying stereotype. Guys happen to fall into the prat falls of trying too much to impress a woman. I should know this, because, I was once "that guy" and I despise "that guy"; and, what I mean by that description, is the person who presses due to high expectations and allows the responsibilities to become a burden and not an asset. Women love presentation as much as I do; yet, they love a man able to put a description about your personality. And that always work in dating: simplicity. Being yourself and enjoying the moment is a major plus when you're taking someone out on a date and not becoming someone else's alter ego. That description can also apply to friendship when building a circle of friends. Expecting something more than just friendship is honestly forced between the two parties hoping for a good time and not overwrought pressure from your peers. Do I think women fall into that tricky abyss? Well, if falling for a man who acts like a jerk and is using you for your emotions, then, yes, it can happen to them too; however, I doubt they fall into that, since, it's the guy's job, per se, to obtain that relationship. So, I've been away from a serious relationship for four years and dated, briefly, during that span, and I can honestly say I'm a bit tired of pressing. Also, pondering about marriage will be on a long hold until, otherwise. The benefits of being single are immense and I'll live with the solitude as a way of patience, not grief, to get over my faulty inquiries from a past time. Alas, I'll be single on Valentine's Day, once more, but, don't pity me; there are so many things I can do with my time then to devote myself in search of Mrs. Hall. It's just not fun, right now; and, furthermore, I think I'd get more fulfillment just reading about the history of Valentine's Day then to desperately seek my valentine.

The Business of Ignorance

For every self-proclaimed truth seeker lays someone composing a narrative in an attempt to frame ideas that there’s a plot that a tyrannical government is going to take your guns, freedom, privacy, etc. The thing about these somewhat vague descriptions is that it rakes in billions of dollars to the people that market on your fear and insecurities just to get the customer to buy things with money you don’t have on things you don’t need. In a report from Dr. Sam Vaknin, who has written countless books on the perils of Conspiracies, looks at people’s mistrusts of media, governments. Aside from what I think of any of these theories, keep in mind, there are over 186,600 websites that are dedicated to theories in the three billion pages of Google’s database, according to the article. However, don’t take for granted that this is just a recent event, because, in the past and still present are hate groups who didn’t take kindly toward folks of different ethnicities or cultures to promote the ugly perceptions, to individuals who are willing to be misinformed on information; shows like the X-files was a platform for phenomena of UFO’s, human experiments and underground organizations that took fantasy that created an alternate reality to please those who are afflicted with confirmation bias. The same can be said with movies like The Matrix, Men in Black that tapped in more to these ideals, even though it’s make believe. Alas, AM radio is a different animal when it comes to wild skepticism. The Federal Trade Commission estimated that 10% of the money that is donated maybe solicited fraudulently and it’s in due part that under the U.S tax code in section 170 that some of these organizations are exempt from releasing any information on income. Billions of dollars are invested into communications to promote the personalities and to advertise on methods, not facts. Now, events like the shootings in Newtown, CT; Aurora, CO; and past shootings that have taken place since the expiration of the assault rifle ban in 2004 are used to sell on the premise that they didn’t occur or were staged. Whether or not you agree with the messaging of this column is not the point, my objective is to have the reader consider that everything that is either read on the internet, heard on radio or watched on TV should be handled with some caution, especially, if the material is used as something that doesn’t educate the person. Deregulation of the airwaves has been prevalent before former President Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which allowed for cross-ownership of the media or in other words merging local outlets and buying up say The Wall Street Journal, which is now owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, and, unfortunately, the Federal Communication Commission hasn’t done enough to prevent mergers or secure the airwaves due to the measures that was rewritten because of that very bill. In the 1980’s 50 media companies existed, now six, and, only 29 percent of Americans read a newspaper compared to 55 percent of them getting it on TV, 39 percent from a mobile phone and 33 percent on radio. Pretty staggering for a nation that strives to govern for a better society; but, with less media organizations around to report on the facts, getting information is a lot more challenging because of mistrust. Weirdly, newspapers are still the best way to get your information, though, in a 24/7 society, are people willing to study to absorb the knowledge or be tricked by deception? Ignorance is indeed a business.

My favorite 5 of 2012

Obscurus Lupa

     I have a bigger appreciation for Lupa, given her affection for terrible films. Finding That Guy with The Glasses was pretty much random when I went through most of the personalities on the sites and Obscurus is a favorite of mine when I search through the internet for some entertaining reviews. For all of the commentary she does on Corey Haim, Cynthia Rothrock, and Steven Seagal films, it was her 100th episode on Evil Dead II, where she told the online audience of her various inspirations, particularly with singing. Admiring her flowing red hair is one thing; her determination is a vastly different story. With that one video, I also learned some things about myself when it comes to self-confidence. Sometimes, going to that dark place is where the best of us really shines, and, I thought she illustrated that wonderfully. It's within our struggles where sometimes reflecting about our most challenging moments can help us overcome. She was brave, I thought, when describing how she overcame her shortcomings. Now, I'm just crossing my fingers for a review on some Jeffrey Combs movies (100th Episode Commentary: http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/teamt/ol/specials/37687-100th-episode-commentary).

CM Punk

     Punk gives me hope for an industry that could bring back the past of what I enjoyed about the wrestling. He's a likable personality pending which side you favor as far as babyfaces and heels go. Aside from being a legit speaker on the microphone or just announcing during various matches, Punk makes me nostalgic about professional wrestling again because he carries a lot from the old ECW where the performers were breathtaking without all of the high production. I do wonder how far he'll take his character in the coming year; it should be fun.

Marc Caputo

     The Miami Herald's hardest working political reporter (and weekly columnist), has not only become my favorite writer in the United States, but, possibly one of my inspirations, as far as being a reasonable writer. In a nation where ideology becomes a vast web to cut through in the political arena, Caputo really does his best to cut through the biases by offering stories and views that test the reader's patience. Plus, he follows my twitter page. My favorite report from him this year is a story he did regarding the 2,459 ballots that was rejected by the Miami-Dade elections office during the 2012 election. The people most affected by these voided ballots: Black Independents. ("Rejected" story: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/07/3131630/thousands-of-rejected-miami-dade.html)

Bomani Jones
 
     SB Nation's most talented writer and frequent panelist on various ESPN programs, reminds me a lot of my favorite sports writer: Dan Le Batard. Bomani reminds me of him when it comes to having a more looser take on the various sports takes by other folks who always fall for the redundant narratives that usually either make no sense or are utterly insipid. The Clarke University grad pretty much cuts through a lot of the crap with ease. He's also good at taking the most topical issues  without overloading the topics, which is a typical problem in sports media. Jones also does an evening radio program on Mondays and does a video for SB on Mondays and Thursdays, every week. He also does a radio program on Thursdays with.......

Dan Le Batard

     Aside from stripping to a speedo courtesy of a bet that he and Charles Barkley took when The Miami Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 in The NBA Finals, Le Batard is the man I consider to be the "thinking man's" columnist. Ever since I've read his columns, listened to his radio program, and his daily TV program on ESPN2, I just appreciate his alternative voice more in a landscape of similar ones. He reassured me, especially with his stanch defense of Peyton Manning when Manning was accused of being a "choker" in the playoffs, until he had the biggest comeback any Quarterback has ever had in the 2007 AFC Championship. He has changed my perspective on how sports, race, pop culture are discussed; and, rarely, do you hear a guy like Dan be unfazed to talk about say Barry Bonds and the aforementioned "black jerk" in sports, for example. Basically, all of the stuff that sports radio personalities don't touch, due to outside influence, Dan isn't swayed by the banter by others and he makes his brand his own.