Promising Crop of Films

Watching some trailers and talking about movies with people, there are some promising crop of films slated for release between the end of 2014 through 2016.  I might not see all the same movies as other people as promosing.  But here are some I am looking forward too.

"Paddington" (2014)

"Padington" starrs Ben Whishaw as Paddington and Nicole Kidman as Millicent.  Now "Paddington Bear" was around before I was born, but it still was something that was apart of my childhood.  The trailer was funny and one movie I'm looking forward to seeing when it comes to North America in January.  It was already released in the United Kingdom at the end of November and according to what I've looked into the movie, it has mostly positive reviews.  Not that I buy into what the reviews say.

Trailer #1



Trailer #2



"Jurrasic World" (2015)

I'm a fan of the "Jurassic Park" series of movies.  I enjoyed the element of human and dinosaurs.  It's an interesting concept which we won't get to see ever.  With "Jurassic World" being released next year, the thought of a hybrid dinosaur is something we can only dream and fantasize about.  If it lives up to the others, we'll have to wait and see.



"Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" (2015)

I can't believe "The Spongebob Squarepants Movie" was released ten years ago in 2004.  This is the second movie in the "Spongebob Squarepants" series.  What I find to be odd is that in this movie, unlike the series or first film, is that being out of the water isn't effecting them (not including Sandy as she is a land creature).  I enjoyed the first movie for what it was and I hope this second movie will be as equally enjoyable.

Trailer #1



Trailer #2



"Home" (2015)

Dreamworks Animation has had some hits and misses when it comes to the animated style of films.  The hits (or my personal favourites) are "Shrek," "Shrek 2," "Shrek the Third," "Shrek Ever After," "Bee Movie," "Kung Fu Panda," "Madagascar," "Madagascar 2: Escape From Africa," "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," "How to Train Your Dragon," "Puss in Boots," and "The Croods."  The rest either I didn't care for or haven't seen.

"Home" staring Rihanna as Gratuity "Tip" Tucci, a teenage girl and Jim Parsons as Oh, a member of the Boov race.  It also has the voice of Steve Martin as Captain Smek, the leader of the Boov race and Jennifer Lopez as Lucy Tucci, Tip's mother.  A stellar cast with a story of two people from different races who form a friendship while on the run from the Boov's enemy.  I dig the trailer.  Parsons seems like he channeled a bit of the Sheldon Cooper persona or quirks.  I can dig that.



"Minions" (2015)

I've seen parts of "Despicable Me," but I didn't care for it.  "Minions," which is a prequel, looks a lot better than "Despicable Me."  I like the story of how they must survive regardless even if they don't have a "master," for a lack of a better term, to be a minon too.  It's a story of do or die or put up or shut up.  It might be cliche, but by the looks of the trailer, it might work in this instance.



"Strange Magic" (2015)

Even though George Lucas has nothing to do with the "Star Wars" franchise anymore, that doesn't mean he isn't still making movies.  "Strange Magic" was in the works long before Disney aquired LucasFilms.  They said they are not Disney or Pixar and wanted this film to remain a LucasFilms production.  That I can respect.

I like this idea of that director Gary Rydstrom said of Lucas that he "really wanted to make a beautiful fairy tale with goblins and elves, and do it in a way that only this company can do."  The trailer looks absolutely phenomenal and I hope this animated film can live up to what the trailer has shown us.



"Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2" (2015)

The first one was hilarious and I am hoping the sequel can be just as funny.  The trailer leaves something, but I'm going to go out on a limb and try to see it.  The story is a flip flop compared to the first film.  But than again, being in the same setting wouldn't necessarily make for a good movie.  Hopefully this sequel isn't a dude.



"Popeye" (2016)

The classic cartoon returns to big screen for seemingly the first time in well over 30 years.  This early trailer doesn't show much.  So with that being said, I can't say for sure whether or not it looks good.  But being as I watched "Popeye" growing up, I probably will end up seeing it.



"The Cobbler" (2015)

Before I watched the trailer, I thought it was a rendition of "The Elves and the Shoemaker."  I could tell by the thumbnail that it would be another in the line of Adam Sandler dramedies ala "Click," "Jack and Jill," "Spanglish" and others.  One part of the trailer pretty emotional.  That's where the drama comes in to play.  It looks pretty deece and worthy of more than being on the fence about it.



"Project Alamanac" (2015)

Not always into sci-fi films, but this one seems interesting even if it has something to do with Michael Bay.   A movie about time travel and how it can effect events is how they scripted "Back to the Future."  I've never always been a believer of time travel, but back in high school this one guy was open to the idea.  He said, paraphrasing of course, that we should be open to the idea.  Maybe time travel is possible.  Many a movie and TV series have done something with time travel.  This one looks different than your usual time travel film.  Seems to also have a thriller aspect in parts of it.  Parts of it have this feel good, hedonistic element to it as well.  I say that it looks deece and worthy of more than being on the fence.

Trailer #1



Trailer #2



There are some films I'm on the fence about.

"Inside Out" (2015) - Disney Pixar: This trailer leaves me wanting something more.  For a Disney Pixar film, they usually do a good job of getting you wanting to see it.  Not with this film.  Maybe a second trailer might fill that void.

Those are most of the trailers I've watched.  I've also watched "Terminator: Genesys" and "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens."  Those two don't excite me.  With that being said, the end of 2014-parts 2016, movies are seemingly in good hands.  But with more trailers being released, it can only get better.

Violence in Entertainment vs. Christianity

I was on Facebook Tuesday morning and Marc Vandersuly posted a status about the "Avengers."  The comments took a turn to someone saying that they can handle swearing and sex, but not violence.  I found that to be ironic.  Marc replied by saying that they only don't like violence if it's "gory" or "extreme."  Basically, domestic violence in entertainment such as movies or television don't bother them because it's not "gory" or "extreme."  I dually noted by saying that was backwards.

In movies and television, violence doesn't bother me because a lot of it is fiction.  With that, I am disconnecting myself from reality.  Now I do understand that it's the individual beliefs of that have them feel the way they do.  But why they would feel this way about violence in entertainment verses sex and swearing baffles me.  Some people I've talked to feel the same way about three things.  That makes more sense.

Why do a portion of Christians have to shy away from this issue like it's taboo is baffling and beyond me.  There is violence all throughout the Bible.  The Old Testament is riddled with violence.  God is wrathful against the people who do wrong and disobey.  There is also violence against Jesus in the New Testament.  Jesus is beaten and crucified.  With that being said, these same Christians don't shy away from the violence in the Bible, but in movies.  What happened to Jesus can be looked upon as "gory" yet they'd never think that.  I find that to be very odd.  But we understand Jesus had this violence bestowed upon him to forgive our sins.

Maybe I am wrong for comparing two opposite things.  Movies for the most part are fiction while the Bible is real as it did happen.  But maybe I'm not wrong for comparing the two.  I just find it puzzling that a person would feel like this about this?  Am I missing something?  It seems pretty black and white.  Why is there this gray area?  Maybe it's one of those things I'll never fully understand.

A Sign of the Times

Netflix, iTunes, Redbox, Gamefly, the Internet, etc. has made video stores that rent movies and video games increasingly irrelevant and slowly making major chains obsolete.  Blockbuster has shut down locations in Canada and Rogers is shutting down locations across Canada as well.  A lot of movie rental companies are turning to mail or online rental services if they haven't done so.  Plus with the services you can get on your cable or satellite to watch movies, why would you need to go to a video store to rent a movie?  Or with mail or online services, why would you need to go to a video store to rent a video game?

The change in the way we do things has made the need for an actual location nil.  I remember growing up, that renting movies or video games was a time I looked forward too.  Picking out a new release or classic movie or game wanting to experience it for the first time or experience it again.  Just something about doing that was a great part of my childhood.  Nowadays, we have the convenience of these services at our fingertips that the whole wanting to go to rent something is not the same as it used to be.

The days of renting at an actual location is quickly becoming a thing of the past.  For nostalgia reasons, it's sad.  There are only a handful of businesses that rent movies as it's not the big business it used to be.  I admit that I rarely rent movies unlike I used to.  There is no need to with all these other services.  I guess this is just a sign of the times.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" - My Childhood Cartoon, A Connection To The Bible/Christianity, & More

Yesterday I texted my friend Mark and asked him what I should blog about.  He said "X-Men, I am."  I replied, "I don't know what to say..."  Mark answered, "Just talk about a childhood cartoon."  With that I instantly thought of the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

The "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" was a favourite of mine growing up. I used to know the theme song, had a bunch of action figures and accessories, have "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game," seen all three live action movies, seen the CGI animated film, and I even bought the comic where the Ninja Turtles and April O'Neil meet for the first time.

The original cartoon itself was a staple during my childhood.  I remember it would be on after school.  That was one of the highlights of the day.  I would watch it as all kids would do rooting on the Ninja Turtles to stop Shredder's "evil" plan. No matter how hard or how long it took, they succeeded.

The Ninja Turtles who are good always battle Shredder who is evil.  This reminds of Pslam 34:13-15.

¹³ keep your tongue from evil
   and your lips from telling lies.
¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good;
   seek peace and pursue it.  ¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
   and his ears are attentive to their cry;

Romans 12:21

 ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Or Romans 16:18-20.

¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. ¹⁹ Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.  ²⁰ The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
   The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Basically you can see the Ninja Turtles as good and Shredder as evil.  With the Ninja Turtles defeating Shredder and stopping him from his evil plans.  It's like God stopping Satan from doing his evil plans.  Just like God, the Ninja Turtles try and protect the world by doing good.  They try to not be overcome by evil and help the people they "serve" not to be overcome by evil by not letting Shredder deceive them.

People want to believe in something and some of them are quick to believe in the first thing they are told/heard.  Evil wants you to do that, but you should resist the temptation to believe the first thing you are told because you may end up following evil (Shredder/Satan) and instead follow the good (Ninja Turtles/God/Jesus).  Like God, the Ninja Turtles try to show people the right path to walk down.  Sure we may stumble, we may fall, but we must not give in to the temptations of Satan and Shredder.  Doing so is part of their plan.

I liked Michelangelo for the longest time.  But I than realized that Raphael got no love because he was touted as uncool.  The others have something like Leonardo is the leader, Donatello can build and fix things, Michelangelo is looked upon as cool.  What is Raphael?  He can been the role model for people who are not considered cool.  He can kick ass like the rest of them.  So I don't get why he is looked upon as uncool.  What did he do to deserve having this thrust upon him?

The "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series that came out in 2003 and whatnot, I can't get into them.  They are not the same as the original.  If you like the newer series, that's all well and fine, but I think they don't hold a candle to the original.  There is a new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series set to air on Nickelodeon.  Three notable names will be voices of the Ninja Turtles.  Jason Biggs from "Saving Silverman," "American Pie" series, "Loser," etc; Sean Astin from "Rudy," "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, etc.; and Rob Paulsen who has done many voice over roles with him being the original Leonardo.  I hope it will be a throw back to the original.

Here is something that I fear may hurt the plot of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."  Michael Bay, who seriously ruined "Transformers," is wanting to turn the Ninja Turtles into aliens.  He is a cunt and will be lynch mobbed if he goes through with it.  If you were a fan of the original series, you'll find this so enraging if he goes through with it.  Even Kevin Munroe who directed the 2007 film "TMNT" went to Kevin Eastman, the creator of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" if he could do that CGI animated film.  If I was Eastman, I'd tell of Michael Bay to not screw with his work because Bay would be taking MUTANT out of "Teenage MUTANT Ninja Turtles."  After all, it's not "Teenage Alien Ninja Turtles."

Random Fact #7

Roger Ebert tweeted today that today, December 28, is the birthday of movies.  So to all, past and present, who who have made a career making movies, in some way or another, or just enjoy watching movies, we say happy birthday movies.

3D Movies And TV - Is It A Ripoff?

This post got is something I started thinking about after seeing a comments on a video on YouTube about theaters being not taking the 3D lens off the projecters in the certain theater chains in the United States.

3D movies have become all the rage in the last number of years.  It's basically a gimmick to get you thinking that it's something different from a 2D movie, which it is in a sense, and to get you to pay more.  Certain theater chains do get you to pay more for 3D movies.  Now, this 3D is not true 3D.  I know for a fact because I've seen true 3D.  Back in 1987 when my family took a trip to California and did the whole Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Sea World, and Universal Studios trip.  We went and saw "Thriller" in 3D and it was something different.  Things popped out at you and you thought you could actually reach out and touch it.  That's what 3D should be.  But unfortunately it's not.

When watching these 3D movies, nothing pops out at you.  Is it worth your money?  Not really.  It's another gimmick to make money as previously mentioned.  But the movie can be absolute shit sometimes in 2D, but people will think it's amazing just for the fact that it's in 3D.  I've a number of films in 3D and some of them were good not because they were 3D, but because of the story itself.  The 3D experience has become overdone and overrated that the uniqueness of it has been lost.  True 3D movies are only done in certain major cities with one being Los Angeles.  If you have the chance to go see a true 3D movie, you will find yourself feeling ripped off at how horrible the mass produced 3D movies are.

Now 3D TV is going to be a fad.  You buy this TV and have 3D glasses.  The glasses themselves cost $800.  You might be thinking that's a bit steep and yes it is.  You can watch the TV in 2D but you have to shut off the 3D option if there one.  Than what's the point in buying a 3D?  You are essentially spending, actually blowing and wasting thousands of dollars for a 3D TV that you don't intend to use for the purpose it was intended for.  Plus how many TV shows and video games are being filmed and created in 3D?  If there is not much aside from movies being created in 3D.  Can you tell me what TV shows are being filmed in 3D?  You can't.  Even some 4D and some 5D stuff is being created.  Once 4D and 5D becomes the big thing than 3D will become obsolete for the most part.

I am not trying to change your opinion.  This is just one man's opinion.  I find that this mass produced 3D is overrated.  If they produced movies in true 3D than it would not be so overrated.  I find that the way it's produced is a ripoff and a waste of money.  I would rather not have to pay the extra money to see something in 3D if possible.  I would rather not waste money on a 3D TV if there is no 3D content being produced on TV.  Finally, what's next, the Internet going 3D?  I wouldn't be surprised if it does.

"Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows"

"In this feature-length documentary, director Paul Jay was given unprecedented access to the world of Bret Hart and pro wrestling as his camera followed Bret "the Hitman" Hart for one year. Going behind the tightly guarded walls of wrestling's spectacle and theatre, the film explores the meaning of today's wrestling morality plays. As fantasy crosses into real life, the true story of Bret Hart's struggle with Vince McMahon, the legendary owner of the WWF, is revealed. Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows climaxes with the tale of the biggest double-cross in pro wrestling. "

This is a great documentary and I'm not just saying that because Bret Hart is my favourite wrestler of all-time.  At that time in wrestling you never got to see much of the real life backstage goings on.  It's something great to see.  Nowadays seeing what's going on backstage is something we don't think about because of the social networks and whatnot.  I highly recommend it regardless if you are a professional wrestling fan or not.

NFB link

Paranormal Activity

So Tuesday evening I finally watched "Paranormal Activity." Now I don't believe in ghosts, aliens, and other stuff in the paranormal realm. The only ghost I believe in is the Holy Ghost. But that is another post for another time. So as I was watching the film, it got me thinking. I wasn't thinking in a bad way like it was messing with my mind and freaking me out sort of thing. It was more of a "what if" type thinking.

I was thinking what if it happened to someone I know, then what? It would be pretty messed up for something unexplainable to happen to someone I know. I would be asking myself why it's happening to them. I am not saying that I would be converted into being a believer of that stuff by any means. Isn't it only natural to question stuff when it happens to you or someone you know? You never really question this stuff unless it's happening to you or you are into this stuff.

The rage nowadays are the paranormal reality shows like "Ghost Hunters." I don't care for those type of shows myself. I don't see what is so good about these type of shows. Sure back in the day I watched "Unsolved Mysteries," but I found it interesting even though I don't believe in it. That's the only paranormal show, real or fictional I truly like. I've never liked "Outer Limits," "X-Files," "Ghost Hunters," "Ghost Whisperer," etc.. But now even "Unsolved Mysteries" which was good for so many years has gone the way of more crime based stories and trying to locate criminals. Isn't that what "America's Most Wanted" or some similar show is for? Robert Stack gave "Unsolved Mysteries" that eerie feel to it. Maybe that is why it was such a good show for so many years. But the current host Dennis Farina isn't that good and nobody can ever give "Unsolved Mysteries" that same feel as Stack did.

In any event, "Paranormal Activity" was an alright film even if it was fiction as I have discovered and I will never understand why some people are into this type of stuff. The whole conspiracy theories, aliens, ghosts, hauntings, wicca, witchcraft, and other such related stuff. Sure movies and films will get me thinking from time to time, but I just can't wrap my mind around why some people are so fascinated by this stuff.

"The Breakfast Club"

I watched "The Breakfast Club" this afternoon and it is a classic movie from the 80s. It is such a funny movie with a lot of classic quotes. If you want to see them then go to my quotes blog.

Here is a video tribute I found. The song is in the movie and it is "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds

YouTube link

Fantasie In Bubblewrap

I found this on YouTube. It is a pretty crazy yet good animated short.

The final minutes of a society of vocal bubblewrap as it faces its apocalypse.

"Bubblewrap" was completed August 2007 and has since made the festival rounds picking up some awards on its way. It is Arthur Metcalf's debut film.