Story might need a tiny, teeny, itsy bitsy, smidgeon of a bit of little work, but it certainly lives up to the hype. Two troubles got to me. A - there were three chatterboxes more interested in talking to each other than enjoying the experience; and B - my eyes usually fail me when I try and watch anything 3D. Thank you very much, eyes that aren't perfectly aligned, or at least aligned enough to enjoy 3D, but I can live with that.
It's kind of funny, three people paying $15 a pop to do everything except watch the movie. And a half hour into the experience, one of them turns to me and asks when the movie ends. Should've said, 'Hold on, let me ask your mom', but didn't. Could have, but meh. I said, 'I don't know', and turned my attention back to the film. And that just proves that if you have to ask someone when the movie ends on the day it's finally released to the public, before anyone's had a chance to see it, then you've just proven your complete and utter ignorance before someone who couldn't care less about when the movie ends, because he only wants to watch it.
Overall, it was a fun film to watch. Swipes were taken at a lot of things: Interstellar neo-colonialism; military force ousting sentient being diplomacy; dumping on the natives' home in a decidedly uneven fight using ridiculously overpowered weapons in comparison to what the natives use. That, and this film has sexy alien cat-people. NO BAD HOLCOMB!!!
What I mean is, the Na'vi sure d look realistic. Along with the natural environment, animals, rocks, water, imaginary jellyfish-squids-spirit things, pterodactyls, rhino things, and all the rest of the goodies. Also, it would be great to hear from professional bodybuilders and people who know details about anatomy in regard to how realistic the Na'vi's muscular structures are in comparison to human anatomy.
And speaking of which, these creatures look amazingly mammalian. And by that, I mean human. In other words, boobies. And I'm saying that not in a horrible, puritanical condemnation of Cameron in regards to suggestion. On the contrary, I personally know people who are into the whole 'zoomorphic creatures' thing. Specifically, furries. Aw, yes, furries. And I know that there'll be at least one who'll claim that Cameron is a closeted furry, and use the Na'vi's feline features as proof of that. I can only hope and pray to God that 'that guy' can hold off for at least a week before applying 'Rule 34' to "James Cameron's 'Avatar'". By James Cameron.
Now this is going to shock you, since these words are coming from the lips of a man who's more into the photography side of film making than the audio, but the sound was great. Pretty realistic sound, I must add. I mean, everyone's hyped how real the film will look, but how many will tout how great it also sounds. I wasn't entirely listening to the score and sound, but when I was, WOW!!! Now I know you audiophiles will enjoy that.
I can imagine that Cameron, in all his genius, will stand to reap great monetary benefits from this film. I mean, look at 'Titanic'. He'd given up his stake in it, because the studio heads didn't know if it would make money. Result: It makes a buttload of profit. Wins Oscars all around. He makes more money than God as a result of it. Now that he's got a bigger stake that he held on to, maybe he can add "...and everyone else" to the list of people he's got more money than. And, if he's got a stake in the camera system that he helped design, you can add "...and their mother" to the list of people he's got more money than. But I'm just being a speculative fan boy who's too lazy to do any actual research as to what his investment in the new 3D camera system is.
Now, if you'll excuse me, there's a film by McG, *cough*Terminator: Salvation*cough*, that I have to go tear apart.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
It's not easy starting a business
Sure, businesses that exist now are set, even they might eventually fail.
The president of the United States, or more exactly the guy running for the presidency, sure likes to talk a lot about how he'd like to help jump start the economy and create new jobs for Americans. But the truth is, most of the jobs that exist in this country are from small- to medium-sized countries. We'd like to lay a heavy burden on General Motors, General Electric, IBM, and all those guys, to create new jobs to keep the economy running. But the truth
is, the small businesses, and even the mid-size businesses, provide jobs that far outnumber the jobs that even Ford could provide.
Sure, places like McDonald's and AMC Theatres provide jobs despite being large business. Of course, those are the kinds of jobs that are interchangeable with small business. Of course I could provide services like fast food, large screen movie projection, and gasoline, but if I were to provide that under my own banner, and not by one under the vision of someone like Ray Kroc, then the government considers me a small business.
I could provide car service as Holcomb Car Care, instead of Meineke, Holcomb Video instead of Blockbuster Video, Holcomb Car Dealership instead of Ford Motor Company Car Dealership. The difference between me and them is, I'd probably only run one store, one shop, one dealershiip. And I'd only affect the economy on the municipal level.
Speaking of which, it's time for me to get to the point. You can talk about helping the economy. Most of the time, it's small business. Meaning that you'd have to file a fictitious business name, get a license, sign a lease, open shop, get supplies and equipment, open a bank account, hire help (if necessary), and the list goes on. If you've ever opened your own place, you exactly what I'm talking about.
But it all hinges on several key factors. Mainly, zoning. If you want open a place that relates to auto repair, you have to make sure that the building is zoned for it. You want to open a restaurant, not only must it be zoned, but you have to have running water, food storage, and an inspection by the county health board. Hospital or health care? I'm not sure, but if anyone who works in that area would care to enlighten me, I'm all ears.
Plus, business that deals with hazerdous materials, like chrome plating, must deal with agencies like the EPA.
Yes, you can start a business, but the president, or any other national leader, would almost be powerless to help. One must deal with (mostly) local, municipal, county, and state bureaucratic red tape, hurdles, and loops. Maybe a little national (EPA, FTC, and FCC) meddling, but mostly maintained withing the meager bounds of the home state.
If you want to vent about business frustrations, I freely encourage an open and reasonable discussion, here or elsewhere.
The president of the United States, or more exactly the guy running for the presidency, sure likes to talk a lot about how he'd like to help jump start the economy and create new jobs for Americans. But the truth is, most of the jobs that exist in this country are from small- to medium-sized countries. We'd like to lay a heavy burden on General Motors, General Electric, IBM, and all those guys, to create new jobs to keep the economy running. But the truth
is, the small businesses, and even the mid-size businesses, provide jobs that far outnumber the jobs that even Ford could provide.
Sure, places like McDonald's and AMC Theatres provide jobs despite being large business. Of course, those are the kinds of jobs that are interchangeable with small business. Of course I could provide services like fast food, large screen movie projection, and gasoline, but if I were to provide that under my own banner, and not by one under the vision of someone like Ray Kroc, then the government considers me a small business.
I could provide car service as Holcomb Car Care, instead of Meineke, Holcomb Video instead of Blockbuster Video, Holcomb Car Dealership instead of Ford Motor Company Car Dealership. The difference between me and them is, I'd probably only run one store, one shop, one dealershiip. And I'd only affect the economy on the municipal level.
Speaking of which, it's time for me to get to the point. You can talk about helping the economy. Most of the time, it's small business. Meaning that you'd have to file a fictitious business name, get a license, sign a lease, open shop, get supplies and equipment, open a bank account, hire help (if necessary), and the list goes on. If you've ever opened your own place, you exactly what I'm talking about.
But it all hinges on several key factors. Mainly, zoning. If you want open a place that relates to auto repair, you have to make sure that the building is zoned for it. You want to open a restaurant, not only must it be zoned, but you have to have running water, food storage, and an inspection by the county health board. Hospital or health care? I'm not sure, but if anyone who works in that area would care to enlighten me, I'm all ears.
Plus, business that deals with hazerdous materials, like chrome plating, must deal with agencies like the EPA.
Yes, you can start a business, but the president, or any other national leader, would almost be powerless to help. One must deal with (mostly) local, municipal, county, and state bureaucratic red tape, hurdles, and loops. Maybe a little national (EPA, FTC, and FCC) meddling, but mostly maintained withing the meager bounds of the home state.
If you want to vent about business frustrations, I freely encourage an open and reasonable discussion, here or elsewhere.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Company of Wolves - Graphic, not safe for children review
Made in 1985. Or, I should say, released in 1985. A lot of cutaways to cover for its special effects.
Yeah, I know, special effects only 3 years old is already antiquated. But let me tell you something. You see a men peel away his skin and hair to reveal muscle, with that and bone shaping into more lupine, werewolf features, all I can say is: George Lucas, eat your heart out. *Ptooie*
Yeah, I know, special effects only 3 years old is already antiquated. But let me tell you something. You see a men peel away his skin and hair to reveal muscle, with that and bone shaping into more lupine, werewolf features, all I can say is: George Lucas, eat your heart out. *Ptooie*
Thursday, April 30, 2009
I personally enjoy longer films...
Especially when those films have good story. Look at T2 and The Dark Knight. Yeah, sure, I may be fidgety and prone to sudden fits of short attention, but you sit me down in front of a good, long film, and I can devote my attention well.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
I smell butthurt - Ace Ventura Jr. commercial
I saw a commercial for "Ace Ventura Jr.", and the first thing I thought was, "Oh, great, another prequel! And a prequel involving Ace Ventura!" But as it was revealed to not only be a sequel, but one involving the titular hero's titular son.
It's usually not a good sign when the funniest parts of the trailer offer a mediocre "Meh!" response. Look, I understand that writing comedy can be more difficult than any other genre, but surely those people looking for a quick payday could surely come up with a few funny, commercial worthy scenes worth presenting. I would know that it's a sequel worth barely checking out, but at least give us a few nuggets of gold to checkout.
Saying that, I now feel compelled to now watch the movie and give a summary critique. Whenever I figure out when my local, non-Blockbuster Video owned video store carries it.
So, what's new on your end?
It's usually not a good sign when the funniest parts of the trailer offer a mediocre "Meh!" response. Look, I understand that writing comedy can be more difficult than any other genre, but surely those people looking for a quick payday could surely come up with a few funny, commercial worthy scenes worth presenting. I would know that it's a sequel worth barely checking out, but at least give us a few nuggets of gold to checkout.
Saying that, I now feel compelled to now watch the movie and give a summary critique. Whenever I figure out when my local, non-Blockbuster Video owned video store carries it.
So, what's new on your end?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Why I watch movies
With such nihilistic cynicism, why would I continue to watch movies? It's simple, really. Because of the hopes that there's the occasional good film in the mountainous pile of turd.
For every 10 "Max Payne" films, there's the occasional "The Dark Knight". Sure, the photography in the former was great, but it doesn't make up for the film's strain, which is about as bad as someone who's constipated. The latter, on the hand, kept building up the action and intensity into one great climactic payoff.
I will admit that, despite being a film fan, I have a rather small DVD collection. This is due, in no small part, to my inability to afford to level up to a collection that can only be described as being legendary. Of course, if I were to be tempted with a contract to review movies released on DVD, with a reasonable paycheck which could go towards helping to me pay for the possibility of an awesome as hell collection that could pay for such, I would be tempted to accept such an offer, with the first check going towards buying as many movies released on video as I can and starting an official business out of it.
*Waits for offers to start pouring in*
Damn! Nothing! I guess I'll have to step up the relentless badgering and lulz-gathering in order to get someone's attention. Watch for my latest DVD review, "Max Payne". Coming soon, to a blog near you.
For every 10 "Max Payne" films, there's the occasional "The Dark Knight". Sure, the photography in the former was great, but it doesn't make up for the film's strain, which is about as bad as someone who's constipated. The latter, on the hand, kept building up the action and intensity into one great climactic payoff.
I will admit that, despite being a film fan, I have a rather small DVD collection. This is due, in no small part, to my inability to afford to level up to a collection that can only be described as being legendary. Of course, if I were to be tempted with a contract to review movies released on DVD, with a reasonable paycheck which could go towards helping to me pay for the possibility of an awesome as hell collection that could pay for such, I would be tempted to accept such an offer, with the first check going towards buying as many movies released on video as I can and starting an official business out of it.
*Waits for offers to start pouring in*
Damn! Nothing! I guess I'll have to step up the relentless badgering and lulz-gathering in order to get someone's attention. Watch for my latest DVD review, "Max Payne". Coming soon, to a blog near you.
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