I have not seen the original Conan the Barbarian movies but know that they are much loved. They seem to be full of the great cheesiness akin to the time they were made in. However, I have had no real interest seeing them.
That being said, there is a remake coming out and people are getting angry about it. This is no different than any other time a remake comes out. People say that the remake will be horrible. Then when the movie proves to be decent they'll say it's horrible because it's not as good as the original.
I will have to see the originals one day and compare them to the remake.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
National Day of Payer 2011
I am not religious but spiritual. Trust me, that does still mean I pray but in a different way than Christians. I do find that my connection to the spiritual world is important but I don't feel the need to push it on others. I also find it an extremely private matter (partially due to the fact that it isn't considered normal by most).
So when the National Day of Prayer (May 5th) comes along I pay no attention. I find a national holiday about prayer ignores the fact that the United States is not a Christian nation. What makes this worse is that some people equate not being Christian/religious to being a bad person. This is a very ignorant assumption to make.
I think they should get rid of this holiday since there is supposed to be a separation of Church and State. What about it being offensive to people? I don't care about that. What I do care about is that it's not useful nor is it really a national thing.
So when the National Day of Prayer (May 5th) comes along I pay no attention. I find a national holiday about prayer ignores the fact that the United States is not a Christian nation. What makes this worse is that some people equate not being Christian/religious to being a bad person. This is a very ignorant assumption to make.
I think they should get rid of this holiday since there is supposed to be a separation of Church and State. What about it being offensive to people? I don't care about that. What I do care about is that it's not useful nor is it really a national thing.
Terminator 5 Problems
Don't get too excited about this movie yet.
If that version does not work, try this version:
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Jon Stewart on Osama bin Laden's Death
I watch The Daily Show with Jon Stewart religiously. I watch it online so I view it in the morning when I wake up. I get up and watch it (well, after I go to the bathroom and turn on the computer).
Yesterday he did a thing on the death of Osama bin Laden. While there is some disagreement about Osama's death, the truth remains that Stewart did an opening on his show about Osama's death.
The opening was hilarious and I laughed. It was full of humor and bolstering up American spirits. One of the reasons I liked it was that it showed Stewart's ability to be funny and serious at the same time.
In fact, his entire show was mostly dedicated to Osama's death. At one point four of his reporters did a great job at showing their comedic abilities as well as giving information about Osama's death.
Yesterday he did a thing on the death of Osama bin Laden. While there is some disagreement about Osama's death, the truth remains that Stewart did an opening on his show about Osama's death.
The opening was hilarious and I laughed. It was full of humor and bolstering up American spirits. One of the reasons I liked it was that it showed Stewart's ability to be funny and serious at the same time.
In fact, his entire show was mostly dedicated to Osama's death. At one point four of his reporters did a great job at showing their comedic abilities as well as giving information about Osama's death.
Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: Another Viewpoint 2
I opened my raven eyes and saw Hijunaki. I realized that I felt refreshed and not tired anymore. I bowed to Hijunaki when I got up but his face remained angry.
"What is it, Hijunaki? I came when you called." I said.
"Rig, you avoided my Calling for awhile. But that is not what I have to talk with you about now." Hijunaki said. "I watched you while you were living with those humans. I saw that you fell in love with a woman."
Memories of Sajoki came back to me but I did not allow myself to be overtaken by them. At least not at this moment while Hijunaki, my creator, was physically with me. The thought came to me to argue with Hijunaki, but I realized he could kill me. As soon as that thought came I reassured myself that I was too valuable to him.
"She was a human, Rig, and you are not to form bonds of that kind with anyone. Especially with a human. She distracted you from trying to find a way to escape. I expected more dedication from something I created." Hijunaki said.
"But she eventually gave me the means to escape." I said.
"A total accident and not something you had planned." Hijunaki replied. "But I have need of you. I did not call you just because your testing is over, but because I have a mission for you. There is an underground palace where I live that I keep people and beings that I have created. It is a place that you will soon live at after you do the mission I will give you now."
Hijunaki sent me images to my mind of the palace. It was regal and larger than the space allowed for. I thought that Hijunaki made it that way by magic.
"What is the mission?" I asked him so that I could get the mission done and rest in Hijunaki's Palace.
"There was a slave that didn't do as he was told and eventually ran away. I would find him on my own but now I need to test you out on a real mission. By your first testing I know not to trust you in personal matters but possibly you are still useful."
"What did this slave do?" I asked and by Hijunaki's expression I could tell I had asked the wrong question.
"His name is Katashi and it does not matter what he did. What matters is that you will find him and kill him."
I realized I could say no and quickly die or say yes and live longer. There was no disagreeing with Hijunaki, at least not at this moment.
"I will find and kill him for you." I told Hijunaki and bowed.
"I expected as much." Hijunaki told me.
I flew away. There was a river close by and I drank from it. After that, I washed up and ate some bugs. Nothing was as good as the human camp, but at least I was able to eat. I did everything I could to avoid getting started on the shady mission. But I realized after a few hours that I would have to go on the mission soon.
I took off and started flying around to find Katashi.
"What is it, Hijunaki? I came when you called." I said.
"Rig, you avoided my Calling for awhile. But that is not what I have to talk with you about now." Hijunaki said. "I watched you while you were living with those humans. I saw that you fell in love with a woman."
Memories of Sajoki came back to me but I did not allow myself to be overtaken by them. At least not at this moment while Hijunaki, my creator, was physically with me. The thought came to me to argue with Hijunaki, but I realized he could kill me. As soon as that thought came I reassured myself that I was too valuable to him.
"She was a human, Rig, and you are not to form bonds of that kind with anyone. Especially with a human. She distracted you from trying to find a way to escape. I expected more dedication from something I created." Hijunaki said.
"But she eventually gave me the means to escape." I said.
"A total accident and not something you had planned." Hijunaki replied. "But I have need of you. I did not call you just because your testing is over, but because I have a mission for you. There is an underground palace where I live that I keep people and beings that I have created. It is a place that you will soon live at after you do the mission I will give you now."
Hijunaki sent me images to my mind of the palace. It was regal and larger than the space allowed for. I thought that Hijunaki made it that way by magic.
"What is the mission?" I asked him so that I could get the mission done and rest in Hijunaki's Palace.
"There was a slave that didn't do as he was told and eventually ran away. I would find him on my own but now I need to test you out on a real mission. By your first testing I know not to trust you in personal matters but possibly you are still useful."
"What did this slave do?" I asked and by Hijunaki's expression I could tell I had asked the wrong question.
"His name is Katashi and it does not matter what he did. What matters is that you will find him and kill him."
I realized I could say no and quickly die or say yes and live longer. There was no disagreeing with Hijunaki, at least not at this moment.
"I will find and kill him for you." I told Hijunaki and bowed.
"I expected as much." Hijunaki told me.
I flew away. There was a river close by and I drank from it. After that, I washed up and ate some bugs. Nothing was as good as the human camp, but at least I was able to eat. I did everything I could to avoid getting started on the shady mission. But I realized after a few hours that I would have to go on the mission soon.
I took off and started flying around to find Katashi.
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)
I read the book that this movie is based off of. When I heard there was a movie version I just shook my head.
Title: The Time Traveler's Wife
Based on the book (of the same name) by: Audrey Niffenegge
Director: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, and Ron Livingston
Rated: PG-13
Released: 2009
Rating: 2.5/5
Basic Plot: Henry DeTamble can time travel and forms a relationship with Clare Abshire.
Differences Between Book and Movie
Most things that are changed in the movie version are made to make it more watchable. The original book was really a mess of WTF moments. It was actually very hard to read for the first half (and for all the wrong reasons). Some of the things that are changed, though, make the movie a little less powerful than the book.
Henry and Clare as a Couple
In the book this was a really creepy relationship and in the movie it's a little less creepy (while still retaining a little of the creepy factor). If you look outside of the creepy factor, the fact is that there is zero tension. What makes it even worse is that this is the thing that the movie focuses on and that's not good when you don't care about the relationship (because you know it'll work out in the end). Sort of like Aria and Ezra in Pretty Little Liars (minus the time travel) where you have no doubt that they'll always be together.
Time Travel
In both the movie and the book Henry is able to time travel (at random) because he has a gene that allows him to. While this isn't believable, it shows some attempt to make the time travel science fiction and not fantasy. I admit it is cheesy but it's an excuse for some science fiction mumbo jumbo.
Final Thoughts
This movie is very bland. While the time travel is an interesting twist, it's a gimmick that isn't very interesting after awhile. If it was a choice between the book and the movie, I'd recommend the movie. The lack of tension is really bad for any form of fiction and it's what makes this a movie that you should only rent.
Title: The Time Traveler's Wife
Based on the book (of the same name) by: Audrey Niffenegge
Director: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, and Ron Livingston
Rated: PG-13
Released: 2009
Rating: 2.5/5
Basic Plot: Henry DeTamble can time travel and forms a relationship with Clare Abshire.
Differences Between Book and Movie
Most things that are changed in the movie version are made to make it more watchable. The original book was really a mess of WTF moments. It was actually very hard to read for the first half (and for all the wrong reasons). Some of the things that are changed, though, make the movie a little less powerful than the book.
Henry and Clare as a Couple
In the book this was a really creepy relationship and in the movie it's a little less creepy (while still retaining a little of the creepy factor). If you look outside of the creepy factor, the fact is that there is zero tension. What makes it even worse is that this is the thing that the movie focuses on and that's not good when you don't care about the relationship (because you know it'll work out in the end). Sort of like Aria and Ezra in Pretty Little Liars (minus the time travel) where you have no doubt that they'll always be together.
Time Travel
In both the movie and the book Henry is able to time travel (at random) because he has a gene that allows him to. While this isn't believable, it shows some attempt to make the time travel science fiction and not fantasy. I admit it is cheesy but it's an excuse for some science fiction mumbo jumbo.
Final Thoughts
This movie is very bland. While the time travel is an interesting twist, it's a gimmick that isn't very interesting after awhile. If it was a choice between the book and the movie, I'd recommend the movie. The lack of tension is really bad for any form of fiction and it's what makes this a movie that you should only rent.
What's the story behind your Formspring username?
jashykins is the username I use for blogging. I used to be called Jash on a bunch of sites and jashykins was a nickname that some people called me.
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