Sequels are usually not as good as the original and it seems people are hardly satisfied with them. This is either because it's too different or too similar.
Title: The Hangover Part II
Director: Todd Phillips
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms
Rated: R
Released: 2011
Rating: 4/5
Basic Plot: The Wolfpack is back and end up in Bangkok trying to find Teddy.
Similarities to the First Movie
I must say, this film is VERY similar to the first film. They wake up from a hangover not knowing where they are but that's really a stable of the series. There is an animal, Stu sleeps with a stripper, ect. But they do make some subtle deviations from the first one. They aren't big or huge, but they are there.
Better Than the First?
No it isn't. Is that a bad thing? No. A problem with this is that the hype for this movie was huge and so people (including me) went into the movie with expectations that couldn't hope to be met. Doing this review I had to try and separate the expectations from my opinion on the movie as its own entity.
A Little Darker Than The First
This movie ups the stakes of the first one. In the first one there was really no downside (except Doug being lost and not being able to be married) while in this one Teddy is possibly dead. Also the events are presented in a darker light. However, this doesn't detract from the humor of it.
Growth From the Previous Movie
You know what makes a good sequel? When it learns from the first one. Stu in this movie learns to be wary of alcohol (since it might be drugged) and Alan. Phil also remembers the roof from the end of the first movie and to immediately check his pockets.
Final Thoughts
The Hangover Part II is very enjoyable if you liked the first one. It has the same humor from the first movie (and is still funny). If you wanted more of the same you get it with this movie. There are little differences to make it not exactly the same as the first one. I think one of the things that ruined this movie was the big hype. Too much hype is never good for anything.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Dresden Files: Ghost Story (Jim Butcher)
Title: Ghost Story
Series: The Dresden Files
Author: Jim Butcher
Released: 2011
Rating: 6/5
Basic Plot: Harry Dresden, who has recently died, must go back to Chicago to find his killer. While he is in Chicago he realizes a lot has changed since he died.
Who Harry Dresden's Killer Is
The person who killed Harry and why it happened are very interesting to find out. I spent a minute or so in shock when I found out. However, the drawback of that is it makes the beginning of the book pretty pointless. That should make me hate the twist and the book, but it doesn't. The truth is, the Chicago Ghost Harry returns to is very pleasing to read about that it makes up for that flaw (though the changed Chicago will probably only really please long time fans of the book series).
How The Other Characters Change
The characters (besides Harry) get a very good change up. Those familiar with the series will be able to really see how good the changes to the characters are. My favorite one who changed was Karrin Murphy. As soon as she spoke one line of dialogue I could tell this wasn't the same character as the one in Changes. I thought she was possessed at first.
Harry Dresden Thinking About the Events in Changes
Harry spends a good deal looking back on his mistakes in Changes. Mainly about everything he risked to save his daughter (Maggie) and why things turned out poorly. I think this does count as a small growth in Harry's character as he has to take responsibility for his apprentice (Molly) becoming a psycho, Murphy becoming a much more hard hearted woman than before, and all the disaster he brought upon Chicago. He does come to peace by the end of the book, though.
Final Thoughts
This book is my favorite in the series so far. By the end of the book I was rushing through it (especially when Harry's killer is revealed). I would highly recommend this book to people that like fantasy/mystery books. The things brought up about the afterlife and ghosts are really neat. I bought this book hardcover and full price and I feel I got more than my money's worth.
Series: The Dresden Files
Author: Jim Butcher
Released: 2011
Rating: 6/5
Basic Plot: Harry Dresden, who has recently died, must go back to Chicago to find his killer. While he is in Chicago he realizes a lot has changed since he died.
Who Harry Dresden's Killer Is
The person who killed Harry and why it happened are very interesting to find out. I spent a minute or so in shock when I found out. However, the drawback of that is it makes the beginning of the book pretty pointless. That should make me hate the twist and the book, but it doesn't. The truth is, the Chicago Ghost Harry returns to is very pleasing to read about that it makes up for that flaw (though the changed Chicago will probably only really please long time fans of the book series).
How The Other Characters Change
The characters (besides Harry) get a very good change up. Those familiar with the series will be able to really see how good the changes to the characters are. My favorite one who changed was Karrin Murphy. As soon as she spoke one line of dialogue I could tell this wasn't the same character as the one in Changes. I thought she was possessed at first.
Harry Dresden Thinking About the Events in Changes
Harry spends a good deal looking back on his mistakes in Changes. Mainly about everything he risked to save his daughter (Maggie) and why things turned out poorly. I think this does count as a small growth in Harry's character as he has to take responsibility for his apprentice (Molly) becoming a psycho, Murphy becoming a much more hard hearted woman than before, and all the disaster he brought upon Chicago. He does come to peace by the end of the book, though.
Final Thoughts
This book is my favorite in the series so far. By the end of the book I was rushing through it (especially when Harry's killer is revealed). I would highly recommend this book to people that like fantasy/mystery books. The things brought up about the afterlife and ghosts are really neat. I bought this book hardcover and full price and I feel I got more than my money's worth.
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
Title: Cowboys & Aliens
Director: Jon Favreau
Based on the Comic Book: Cowboys & Aliens
Comic Book Written By: Fred Van Lente & Andrew Foley
Comic Book Drawn By: Dennis Calero & Luciano Lima
Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde
Rated: PG-13
Released: 2011
Rating: 4/5
Oscars: N/A
Basic Plot: Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) wakes up and doesn't remember who he is. He then gets involved with a plan to stop aliens from invading Earth.
Combing a Sci-Fi and Western Film into One
This is the highlight of the movie. It combines sci-fi and Western film elements so well that it doesn't feel like one takes center stage over the other. The first part of Cowboys & Aliens is strictly a Western. If you like sci-fi and Western movies I highly suggest you go see this movie.
The Aliens
In the comic the aliens talked, in the movie the main aliens don't. This is a little bit disappointing. However, what the aliens look like and their technology do look pretty cool. There is one alien that does talk, though.
The One Annoying Character
Percy Dolarhyde (Paul Dano) is the most annoying character in the film. Funnily enough, he's the one that drives a good chunk of the plot along. Luckily he is gone for a good majority of the film. He is captured by the aliens pretty early on so you don't have to put up with him that much.
Final Thoughts
I am a big fan of science fiction so I went into the film purely for that element. The fact that it was also a Western film was a big bonus. I was sad about what happens to Olivia Wilde's character, but it was very fitting. This movie does have some romance which fits the tone the movie sets. I saw this movie a few weeks ago (when I was up in Lake Tahoe, California) and so am sorry it took so long to get this review up.
Director: Jon Favreau
Based on the Comic Book: Cowboys & Aliens
Comic Book Written By: Fred Van Lente & Andrew Foley
Comic Book Drawn By: Dennis Calero & Luciano Lima
Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde
Rated: PG-13
Released: 2011
Rating: 4/5
Oscars: N/A
Basic Plot: Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) wakes up and doesn't remember who he is. He then gets involved with a plan to stop aliens from invading Earth.
Combing a Sci-Fi and Western Film into One
This is the highlight of the movie. It combines sci-fi and Western film elements so well that it doesn't feel like one takes center stage over the other. The first part of Cowboys & Aliens is strictly a Western. If you like sci-fi and Western movies I highly suggest you go see this movie.
The Aliens
In the comic the aliens talked, in the movie the main aliens don't. This is a little bit disappointing. However, what the aliens look like and their technology do look pretty cool. There is one alien that does talk, though.
The One Annoying Character
Percy Dolarhyde (Paul Dano) is the most annoying character in the film. Funnily enough, he's the one that drives a good chunk of the plot along. Luckily he is gone for a good majority of the film. He is captured by the aliens pretty early on so you don't have to put up with him that much.
Final Thoughts
I am a big fan of science fiction so I went into the film purely for that element. The fact that it was also a Western film was a big bonus. I was sad about what happens to Olivia Wilde's character, but it was very fitting. This movie does have some romance which fits the tone the movie sets. I saw this movie a few weeks ago (when I was up in Lake Tahoe, California) and so am sorry it took so long to get this review up.
Media-Slayer Shutting Down (jashycam 31)
A few days ago Media-Slayer shut down. Here are my opinions on the matter.
If that version does not work, try this one:
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Do you believe in aliens or life on other planets?
Yes. I believe they'll come to take me home.
What do you think about Media Slayer closing? Did the trolls win?
I don't know the full story but I don't like it. If it was because of the trolls, yes. If Arthur was just a dick and/or was having financial troubles, no.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Jash and Sarah
This is a HIGHLY fangirly music video showing my love for Sarah Connor. It also serves as a shortened vlog for my California trip in 2011.
The basic premise is that Jash (yeah, she/it is supposed to be me) fell in love with Sarah Connor and Sarah Connor eventually rejected her.
This music video, then, is me...I mean Jash mourning not being with Sarah Connor anymore.
Will there be another in this series? Probably not. I took around 38 minutes of footage and around 195 pictures when I went to California. That means I had a lot to go through.
However, if I go on another long trip (like the California trip in 2011) I might continue with another tale of Jash.
If that version doesn't work, try this version:
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