BJ and Lance.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Comic Relief #208
And another debut. Angeline, this time in that Superman T-shirt or top that she seems to like (it's the first random photo of her I saw on Facebook).Saturday, May 30, 2009
Terminator, Salivation
Those closest to me would have heard the iconic theme from the Terminator series either from my phone or randomly hummed by me at inappropriate times. I just got back from watching the latest installment, and I must say, well, I have a few things to say.
Firstly, Christian Bale. Come on. Bruce Wayne and John Connor? How cool is that? Hugo Weaving is V, Megatron, Smith and Elrond, but Bale is quickly catching up. Gun Kata doesn't count, but a point to note: Chris Pine, who played James T. Kirk in the 2009 Star Trek movie, is reported to be playing the Green Lantern too. But back to Connor, who sounds surprisingly like Batman in "McG's" blockbuster. That and the fact that the movie also casts someone by the name of Moon Bloodgood is epic. She's not a bad looker either.
As far as the plot goes, it's always difficult to do any story involving time travel without tripping over your own feet. Back To The Future aside, the aren't too many which do a great job for whatever reason. This one works though, reclaiming the credibility of the series after James Cameron's classic sequel. To those of you who are watching this just to see Christian Bale, however, be prepared. He isn't on-screen for long periods of time in the first half of the movie, but it all plays out very nicely.
If you've never seen Terminator 3, you haven't missed much. Most people pretend it never happened anyway, like how Eric Bana was never Bruce Banner in the Hulk movie that never happened. The first and second Terminator movies, however, are essential in fully enjoying the experience of this one. The moment "Kyle Reese" was mentioned in the film, I was silently hopping with glee. Most of the classic lines from the earlier films are also revisited, and not stupidly, with a few more really cool movie moments thrown into the mix as well. Fans of the series might also be able to identify a few more things which carry over to the future/past/earlier movies. You know.
Interestingly, I have concluded that the only way to make a good Terminator movie is to feature a fight scene in a factory setting where at least one Terminator is destroyed.
Invariably, because of the nature of many movies these days and also because I am spectacularly anal about these things, there are a few things I either don't quite get or didn't agree with.
Firstly, it seems that for all the "cold, calculated logic" that the machines possess, they are quite adept at failing to get things done. Kill John Connor? Stop throwing him around, and just snap his neck! Kill someone else? Then why put him in a holding cell?
The ending, where one character sacrifices something for the life of another, could be seen coming the moment the little love angle played out as well.
Also, Katherine Brewster goes from being an assistant to a vet to a heart surgeon?
All in all though, I really don't have any heavy criticism for the movie, and a ton of praise. I wish there were a few more mentions and little snippets of things that would lead to the "future" that others have mentioned or alluded to in previous movies, but there are plenty already. It's definitely better than the third movie. Better than the second? No. But it's way better than, say, Wolverine. Better than Star Trek? No. For those who want to watch Salvation, don't go in expecting something akin to Terminator 2. It's a great movie, but not a mind-blowing epic like that one, and better than the third by leaps and bounds. Would I watch it again?
Yes.
Firstly, Christian Bale. Come on. Bruce Wayne and John Connor? How cool is that? Hugo Weaving is V, Megatron, Smith and Elrond, but Bale is quickly catching up. Gun Kata doesn't count, but a point to note: Chris Pine, who played James T. Kirk in the 2009 Star Trek movie, is reported to be playing the Green Lantern too. But back to Connor, who sounds surprisingly like Batman in "McG's" blockbuster. That and the fact that the movie also casts someone by the name of Moon Bloodgood is epic. She's not a bad looker either.
As far as the plot goes, it's always difficult to do any story involving time travel without tripping over your own feet. Back To The Future aside, the aren't too many which do a great job for whatever reason. This one works though, reclaiming the credibility of the series after James Cameron's classic sequel. To those of you who are watching this just to see Christian Bale, however, be prepared. He isn't on-screen for long periods of time in the first half of the movie, but it all plays out very nicely.
If you've never seen Terminator 3, you haven't missed much. Most people pretend it never happened anyway, like how Eric Bana was never Bruce Banner in the Hulk movie that never happened. The first and second Terminator movies, however, are essential in fully enjoying the experience of this one. The moment "Kyle Reese" was mentioned in the film, I was silently hopping with glee. Most of the classic lines from the earlier films are also revisited, and not stupidly, with a few more really cool movie moments thrown into the mix as well. Fans of the series might also be able to identify a few more things which carry over to the future/past/earlier movies. You know.
Interestingly, I have concluded that the only way to make a good Terminator movie is to feature a fight scene in a factory setting where at least one Terminator is destroyed.
Invariably, because of the nature of many movies these days and also because I am spectacularly anal about these things, there are a few things I either don't quite get or didn't agree with.
Firstly, it seems that for all the "cold, calculated logic" that the machines possess, they are quite adept at failing to get things done. Kill John Connor? Stop throwing him around, and just snap his neck! Kill someone else? Then why put him in a holding cell?
The ending, where one character sacrifices something for the life of another, could be seen coming the moment the little love angle played out as well.
Also, Katherine Brewster goes from being an assistant to a vet to a heart surgeon?
All in all though, I really don't have any heavy criticism for the movie, and a ton of praise. I wish there were a few more mentions and little snippets of things that would lead to the "future" that others have mentioned or alluded to in previous movies, but there are plenty already. It's definitely better than the third movie. Better than the second? No. But it's way better than, say, Wolverine. Better than Star Trek? No. For those who want to watch Salvation, don't go in expecting something akin to Terminator 2. It's a great movie, but not a mind-blowing epic like that one, and better than the third by leaps and bounds. Would I watch it again?
Yes.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Comic Relief #192
And the long awaited debut of Syikin/Maria comes at the expense of her beau.Note: The weird cheeks were his idea.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Boys Against Men: Arsenal vs Man Utd
"Stupid Arsene Wenger."
That seems to be the general gripe of many Arsenal/anti-United fans this morning after watching Fergie's men decimate the boys from London in the most professional of manners. While I would find it hard to deny that I found more than my fair share of personal glee watching the home side crumble so magnificently, I would say that even as a United fan, that sentiment is harsh. Arsenal fans, indeed, all football fans, should instead pay tribute to the young team, going so far with a thin and ultimately inexperienced squad, without resorting to the extravagant costs and transfer fees that some others (including United) have made use of.
What more could Wenger have done this morning, even as he looked like he was trying to bury his face in his hands after 11 minutes? Blaming either the French manager or young Gibbs for Park Ji-Sung's opener is unfair by any means; Gibbs has been arguably one of the finds of Arsenal's season - like the Da Silva twins for United - and it was misfortune that gifted the South Korean midfielder his chance, which he still had to take (and which he did, admirably). The second goal, which effectively killed the tie, might be attributed to Almunia being stuck in slow-motion, but credit has to go to the brilliance of everyone's favourite scapegoat, Cristiano Ronaldo, who showed the visiting David Beckham that the number 7 jersey is well and truly his. Besides, would Fabianski have made the reaction saves to deny Rooney's curler and Ronaldo's snap shot later?
Arsenal were, of course, denied the services of their Russian maestro Andrei Arshavin, who in recent times has displayed just why for a time, he was one of the most sought-after prospects in Europe. Lacking his attacking thrust, the quadruple failings of Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott and (the surprisingly anonymous) Cesc Fabregas failed to pose any sort of threat to the United backline. Other injuries have also forced Wenger's hand in his selection decisions, but all these reasons still cannot take anything away from the performance of United at the Emirates.
The returning Rio Ferdinand partnered with the towering presence of Nemanja Vidic, flanked by Patrice Evra and Mr. I-Can-Play-Anywhere-And-Score John O'Shea snuffed out every chance that Arsenal looked to create, and one could be forgiven into believing that Arsenal were playing without attackers. How Wenger would have loved the familiar sights of Ljungberg and Pires to stretch that back four. Or Viera to boss the midfield, which is exactly what Carrick, Fletcher and Anderson did. Again, Ferguson's selection proved to be impeccable, with Rooney's defensive instincts nullifying the speedy Walcott and Park's energy (and goal) complimenting Ronaldo's crusade in the midst of the flat-footed Arsenal defence.
The sight of empty seats midway through the second half was a stark contrast to the glorious atmosphere prior to kickoff, though I'll try and be kind and pretend that they were "evacuated" due to the apparent security threat. The Arsenal fans wouldn't have missed much anyway, with their team looking deflated even before United's lightning-quick third. Even Fletcher's (unwarranted) sending off did little to lift their spirits, and the ensuing penalty, though cooly finished, was nothing more than a small consolation.
Some may remember another famous United victory over Arsenal in the 2000/01 season, where a United team boasting the likes of Dwight Yorke and Teddy Sheringham slotted six past a hapless David Seaman. The difference was, though, that Arsenal team of old showed grit, fight, determination, character, spirit. 5-1 down at half time, they still displayed the eagerness to try and salvage some pride, while this morning's broadcast showed the world how much growing up Wenger's boys still have to do.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
