MyTake - The Revenant

I must have watched the Revenant's trailer at least a dozen times when my brother first shared it with me way back in the Summer of 2015. It looked amazing. The cinematography alone impressed me. So I waited.

The Revenant, in a nutshell, is a copy paste story about a man seeking revenge. It's a story that has been told countless times. It's a story I have heard countless times. Let's get one thing straight: the Revenant's story is mediocre at best, and you know what? That's completely fine. In fact, I would prefer simple, straight-forward stories over complex nonsense any day. The movie's focus was not on the story, but the characters. The story is only there to provide a stage for the characters. Usually, the classic story of revenge gives hardly any depth beyond the protagonist's bent rage on the antagonist. Revenge-themed stories have been beaten like a dead horse. Why is he mad? Why did the bad guy murder? What happens to the minds and hearts of the people involved through out the story? My Dear Readers know me as an introspective philosopher when it comes to stories in media, and the Revenant provides an introspective look into the psyche of man that has "resurrected" the dead horse and gave it a good bath. The reason why the Revenant has succeed is because it goes deeper than anger. It asks questions we must find our own answers to.

Firstly, the atmosphere of the Revenant is dark and realistic. The movie isn't just trying to entertain, but provide a visceral story about a man, Glass, surviving in the wilderness to fulfill one simple objective: to kill the man who murdered his son. The cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki is perhaps the best in the business. There are long takes of the action scenes and huge, gorgeous landscape shots throughout the entire film. A masterpiece cannot simply rely on one or even two parts of a film to be memorable. It must utilize every part to its fullest. The Revenant has sublime cinematography, acting, writing, music, and direction. One isn't greater than the other. They all compliment each other very well. 

Now the music in particular reflects the story and mood brilliantly. Simple, subtle, and haunting. It made sense as you watched the film progress. Having an overbearing soundtrack would kill the immersive style the film was aiming for. The music picked the right moments to come in and fade out. I admit, the first time I watched the film I hardly noticed it because everything else demanded my attention. The second time I was able to sink my mind into the score and truly appreciate the intricate simplicity of it all. Interestingly, as I listened to the music during the second viewing of the film I thought to myself that it sounds very Japanese. Sure enough, Ryuichi Sakamoto was one of the composers. Japanese style musical scores are distinct and rich with character. It just worked.

Honestly, nothing I write will give you a taste of how the film is devoted to inviting the audience to witness the journey of a broken man. 

NewYear'sResolutionBOYZ

You thought it. I denied it. The tears were real that day.

Alright, they did it. Colored me impressed. I wasn't skeptical. I just braced myself for mediocrity. J. J. Abrams didn't 'wow' me with Star Trek. I mean, I am not a big fan of that franchise anyways. Cover me in feathers and call me a ostrich, He did it. Of course, it wasn't just him. He got a lot of help.

I marathoned the original trilogy to psych myself up for opening day. It was worth it, to say the least. Many would argue its faults and how Empire Strikes Back is still the king of Star Wars. I am not going to argue with nostalgia. He is a tough and immortal opponent. Go ahead, cling to your past. I shall eagerly await my future with the new trilogy. However, there is till that fear of the next two movies tanking. We should probably hold a 24-hour prayer meeting...

I have viewed this movie twice. As a Star Wars fan, I applaud its near perfect attempt in attaining the same atmosphere as the original trilogy. The CGI and special effects were not overused. The new characters are easily lovable and awesome. The music is new enough to be fresh and old enough to remind us that this is, indeed, a legitimate sequel to the most loved story in all movie history. A solid 9/10. Let's hope the next two movies push this new trilogy into a beautiful 10/10.

The New Year is upon us. This is my 19th one. Nothing to boast about. New Year's Resolutions didn't catch my interest. I have done many lifestyle changes out of necessity, not choice. Now that I am becoming more of an adult I am starting to realize the independence that is being steeled to my being. There are optional choices before me. What to do? By God's blessings I have been graced with abundance in every physical and spiritual need. The question is what to do with my surplus. Perhaps a few more video games to drown in? Look deeper into my major? Binge on some Netflix? All those things have already been tested and found to be worthless over the last ten years. What, then, shall I do? A New Year should be beaming with opportunity and a time to recollect and examine the good and the bad of the past year.

"How can I change myself for the better?"
"Oh! I don't know. Maybe stop doing bad things and start doing good things. DERP."
"YOUR FACE IS DERP!"

                                                                               ~Missingnomer and Flight 

No matter how old you get there will always be something to improve in your life. Progress is infinite for a human. Being a middle-class American citizen means that the world is literally my oyster. Education? Travel? Ministry? Career? Family? All of the above? I don't know. They all sound good. All of them are life goals. Pretty far-reaching, if you ask me. I personally like to go with the small goals and ignore the large ones. How about finishing my degree? And....hmmmm....

I got gym membership.

Hold it, Dear Readers. It is common for people to get gym membership at the start of a new year. Wont I just end up quitting within the first month like the rest? WRONG! It costed me too much (literally) to just quit. I have invested (literally) and I plan to reap. The focus is to get healthy and take care of my body. Don't worry. I am not turning into a health nut, far from it. Shaving a few pounds and gaining some muscle wont hurt anybody....except maybe me.

Interstellar - MyTake

I think only about a half dozen movies have ever made me sit back and take a huge inhalation of air matter when the credits started to roll. Interstellar was one of them.

Ever since Nolan's Inception I have been hooked on the stylistic and dark tone of cinema that is only captured by his sheer brilliance. I went on a rampage and consumed every movie by him that I could find. Memento, The Prestige, and the Batman Trilogy. All glorious movies that define their respective genres. Though it is debatable if Inception is a sci-fi or not. More like a sci-psych? See what I did there?

Christopher Nolan is no less than a genius when it comes to writing and directing movies. Interstellar might be the peak of his directing career. Now before I get into the nitty-gritty I must say that Interstellar is an entirely different beast then Inception. Sure, both movies subject matters are grey areas in science and reality, but who honestly cares? Movies can do such things and should be used accordingly and at the right dosage. Thankfully, Nolan is a master in both areas.

ALRIGHT! Enough nerding over Nolan. On to my actual take on the film.

This is almost three hours of non-stop intensity of epic proportions. No punches are pulled. The subject matter of the movie is jumbled and cluttered with Quantum physics and gibberish that no average Joe would want to understand. But Interstellar manages to just barely get away with it. No doubt the entire story started to become the usual Nolan-esque puzzle when they started talking about wormholes. What the heck is a wormhole?

I admit the movie has its slow moments and cold-like character interactions, but that is like throwing a balloon against a hurricane of genre defining goodness. Even Anne Hathaway's pathetic attempts at acting is easily forgiven when the climatic scenes approach their conclusion. We see despair, bravery, sacrifice, unbelievable circumstances that we could only dream of, and love. The whole movie boils down into that simple word once again: love. Not even the humanistic tendencies in this movie can refute the illogical sentiment commonly referred to as love. What is love? Can we understand it? No. Cause love IS God. Can we understand God? You can try, buddy. But sadly the movie never takes that next steps of even talking about God. Can't get everything right, I guess.

Matthew McConaughey delivered the performance of his career. No spoilers, but he managed to convey emotions that only a real father could have for his children. Props for the aging actor. But Nolan movies are, surprisingly, not about the characters. For me, I simply view them as a conduit for the real character of Nolan's films: the philosophical and light spiritual message that is relayed to the audience. Interstellar carries that ever-burning torch and asks, "What makes you human?" The subtle details are often what makes Nolan's movies shine so brightly among the black atrocity that is Hollywood Cinema. This is just an opinion that I have, but I feel as if Nolan wants to re-define what makes a movie Academy Award worthy. Entertainment is definitely on the to-do list whenever he directs a film, but is it in the #1 spot? I would like to think it was down near #4 or #5. I get so much more out of Nolan films than simple 'entertainment.' I get a dose of "wake up, the world is not your oyster." Maybe movies aren't just to pass the time or a good date night. Maybe a movie could be a place where we can gather, absorb, and discuss what the movie was portraying. I appreciate his unique stance. There is always a place for action epics and romantic comedies, but sometimes I want a stunning display of life-changing questions. Questions that define the heart of man and our relationship to 'Higher Powers."

After the initial hour of the movie (which is still fantastic) things never really slow down. I would love to go into the story and over-arching plot that will most likely (and probably has) blown the minds of millions, but spoilers. It takes the sci-fi genre and says, "how about this?" Any director that wants to make a sci-fi in the future will have to watch Interstellar. That is how powerful this movie is. You can't write it off as another sci-fi flick. It demands a refresh on what we know and love about science fiction. Humans with Space and Time - how we relate to those two will forever be changed.

I think the people who walk away from Interstellar with reactions on the lines of, "What the heck was that? That was terrible!" or "Wow. What a disappointment." Probably got lost in the terminology and funky story progression. Or maybe they did understand it and just didn't like it.....Is that even possible?

Just go and watch the movie. Yes, it was worth the IMAX ticket! The first time I ever sat in front of a screen that made my TV at home look like a scratch n' sniff.  I actually want to watch it again sometime this or next week.

I can sit here and sing the praises of Interstellar all day and night.

Don't even get me started on Hans Zimmer's Divine OST. I cannot understand Zimmer's mind. A man can only write so many scores that will leave your ears gently crying for more.

All I can say is that Interstellar sits on my top 5 movies of all time list, and I don't see it moving any time soon.

MyTake - Frozen AndTheAfterMath

Yes! I watched a kid's movie by Disney with my mom! If movies of exceptional quality come under the genre of "kid's movies" then sign me up as a little kid! Disney has always had a high standard for itself. It really set the bar with amazing movies like 'Mulan', 'Beauty and the Beast', and 'Aladdin' You would think that the glory days of Disney has passed long ago, but I beg to differ. The movie 'Tangled' in particular renewed my interest in Disney movies in 2011 when I finally watched it at home. Now it has been two years and Disney has produced yet another movie about a Princess (Or should I say Princesses) and the high standard has been reached, topped, and slammed to the ground.

Frozen is just as (Or dare I say it....BETTER?!?!) than the cornerstone Disney movies like 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Lion King.' Yup, I said it. It is just that good. The songs, the characters, the romance, the comedy, the drama.... Get the idea? Everything was great. Everything was right. Everything just worked. A kid's movie? Nah, I would just classify this movie as an instant classic that I would love to watch with my family and future family.

Disney, keep the awesome work up. I hope you guys keep cranking movies with this exceptional quality. Studio Ghibli, move aside, Disney is in town and it is taking the spot of best animation studio yet.

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I enjoyed a relaxing day with a fantastic turkey meal topped off with plenty of leisure. Nothing but food and snooze. It was great. Can't wait for the return of the Great Elder Sage siblings. Yeah, I know. Time flies fast. I can't believe it has already been four months. I'd like a quote from the timeless classic, "Rising of the Second Moon":

"Return ye learned ones froM the great bowels of the deep. Return unto thIne youngeSt SeIf. CliNG to him and beg mercy aNd rest, sO that he May grantEth thee passage into the solace of thy foRmer bedroom."

                                     ~Chapter 3 Passage 10 Clause 6 from "Rising of the Second Moon"

MyTake - Man Of Steel

After much moaning and whining I finally convinced my Elder Sage Sibling to take me to the movies. To watch Man Of Steel of course! Why? Because it is probably the best film I will watch for the rest of the year. Why? Well, I am glad you asked.

I think I can finally say that Superman got what he deserved. A competent crew working on one of the most iconic characters in comic history. Hey Christopher Nolan AND Hans Zimmer....Need I say more!??!?!

A good film has to have three things going for it, at least in my book.

#1- A good director that knows what he's doing

#2- Good story, characters, and pacing

#3- Soundtrack must be.....Hans Zimmer caliber.

Man Of Steel was all of the above. The whole feel of the show was melancholic, dire, and at some points hopeless. They took a somewhat comical and cartoony series and made it into a griping drama. When most people think of Superman and Batman they usually associate them with children's toys and the like. I beg to differ ever since the Dark Knight Trilogy and now the Man Of Steel. Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder have taken the DC universe into a new level of epicness.

I maybe bias when it comes to Hans Zimmer but come on people....Just watch the movie. I thought it was well worth the price of admission. My Elder Sage concurs.....I think....Oh well, I thought it was the movie Superman deserved. So with that I leave it to my Dear Readers. 

MyTake - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Along with the arrival of my Elder Sage Siblings we decided to enjoy a much anticipated movie with our dear friends. What movie? Well, after reading the title and glancing  at the picture to the left, I would have to question your ability of perception. It was The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

I should inform my Dear Readers that this is the first part of a trilogy. I know! I know....It is kind of disappointing, but also a sigh of relief in some ways! We have to wait two years for the next two installments (one coming out every year, around Christmas would be my guess), but it opens the door to a very loyal interpretation to the original material. Let's hope Jackson is up for the task. I don't doubt him in the slightest when you consider his masterpiece "The Return of the King." And I have to say I haven't read the book, so I am sorry, but I can't tell you just HOW loyal the movie is to the book.

But I CAN say this! It was a great movie. It seemed like Peter-baby decided to make this first movie a good intro to what this whole trilogy is going to be about: Bilbo, thirteen dwarfs, Gandalf, some cameos, and a LOT of action. It isn't the kind of action and violence that would make you crunch your teeth and gasp in horror. It's the action with minimal blood and gore, but amazingly satisfying choreography. But I have to reiterate the fact that this movie's main concern is making the viewer's heart pump in excitement with the many battles and hairy (no pun intended) situations the company find themselves in.

"But Missingnomer, is it safe for my fantasy loving child?"

"Sure, if you don't mind scary faces. Cause shoooo, the many goblins and orcs can get...pretty gnarly."

                                                           ~A Parenting Dear Reader and Missingnomer

The same ugly, hideous, and grotesque faces are still very much alive in this film! But don't worry, just think about happy chickens and hippos, tis all good holmes. And with that I conclude by saying that this was a fine intro to the trilogy. A prequel that makes me eagerly anticipate the next year? That's some good stuff going on.

*****New "Life In Time" below*****

MyTake - Lincoln

Walking down the cool, dark, and strangely inviting corridor I find myself in a room all of us Americans find ourselves in once in a while. Yup, you guessed it. The movies. Movies of this caliber have been scarce in the past few years. But this one looked different, it looked promising. Promising enough to take my parents with me to the movie house. First time I saw the trailer I said to myself, "Yeah, this is a keeper." And most of (if not all) my Dear Readers know that my intuition is spot on, especially concerning movies.

So I did what all of you guys do when you enter the theater. I sat down (at the best spot, of course) and had my parents accompanying my left and right side. Making sure I secure the position between them so I could see how they reacted to the movie. To tell you the truth my parents haven't been inside a movie house since I was sucking on my big toe (roughly 8 years if the sucking my big toe part wasn't a good enough hint). Was I worried if the movie was going to fall short? Not really, cause it wasn't. Why wasn't it going to fail? Cause I said so.

This is my first movie review so let's just get to it.

"I knew it, it was a good movie."

That was the first thing that came out of my mouth after the credits started rolling. The movie title pretty much gives away the film (and if it doesn't...well maybe you shouldn't watch the movie), Lincoln.

"What was the movie about?"

"Lincoln."

"Whhaaatttt? Boring Histories?"

"Son, sitadown and shadap!"

                                                                                ~Burt and Missingnomer (respectively)

Through out the whole film only 2 people got up and out of their seats! Now I don't know about you guys, but whenever I watched a movie at the theaters I see a good 5 or 6 people leave...permanently, along with a bunch more bailing for the restroom. Not this time. Everyone couldn't leave, was it good? Or did this audience have bladders made of steel? I think the former. Cause I said so. OH! Just thought I might add this little tidbit. I was the only teenager in the whole room! Pfffft, all the pathetics watching vampires instead of real history. Can't wait till I can call myself an adult.

The life of our 16th President. Though it only highlighted the most important parts of his life, it managed to get the job done. It was well executed. It was 2 hours 30 minutes! That's a long movie! But it still had me glued to my seat! It all starts out with Abraham Lincoln's re-election along with the horrid civil war stalking his presidency. It was dark, it was real, it was personal. That was the movie's goal. To show Lincoln's personal life and political life in full motion, along with the war and his greatest battle of all, abolition. Now in modern times we see slavery as an abomination, but what about back then? Would you be against slavery when the other half of the nation was for it? Don't be so quick to answer. I mean, look at Washington and Jefferson. It would have been nice if the movie established the fact that Lincoln was a strong man of faith; it didn't shy away from the fact completely, but it was lacking.

A human with courage, faith, and unbelievable strength. What made this man so great? Sadly it only scratches the surface to that answer. But that doesn't deter the movie from being amazing at all. It was a fantastic movie, I am sure even Lincoln himself would blush at the notion. If you watch this movie, and pay attention (cause if you don't, the dialogue can run away from you), you wont be disappointed.

I am sure this movie only showcased a fraction of what made good ol' Abe amazing. Thanks Mr. President, for sacrificing your life for this great Union.