I Watched: Sucker Punch

Sucker Punch – 2011 – Dir. Zack Snyder – 120 min. – U.S.

In today’s movie landscape, there are three (general) types of movies. One that relies on a compelling story and excellent acting (i.e.  The King’s Speech). Another that relies on stunning graphic effects and the more-often-than-not gimmicky element of 3-D (it’s like adding stickers to a car…neither really make it that much better). The third is a rare one that is able to blend the visual effects with solid story (i.e. The Dark Knight). Sucker Punch tries to be that third type and might be a bit more successful at it…if movies like Inception and Shutter Island didn’t come out the previous year.

Zack Snyder has established a unique visual style as seen in 300 and Watchmen, with a lot of slow motion and blood spattered all over the place. But while he’s able to make your eyes feel like they’re having sex with the movie screen, none of his movies have been incredibly strong in the story/ character development department. That leads me to Sucker Punch (which has been, so far, his worst reviewed movie on Rotten Tomatoes).

The film starts out with a visually and musically beautiful sequence to explain the back story. This was my favorite part of the whole movie:

A Christmas Gift from Where The Sideblog Ends

 

PRESENT?!?! WHAT COULD IT BE?!?! Photo: Faye Lacanilao

Since I probably won’t have internet access on Christmas Day, I wanted to make sure I got this through. Thank you for dealing with my randomness, long-winded entries, and weeks/ months of inactivity. I truly believe in gifts that keep on giving. So my present to you are two videos that really define the holiday season…and make me laugh no matter how many times I watch them (courtesy of Saturday Night Live). Enjoy and have a good and safe holiday weekend (go Chargers)!

A Nerd’s Xmas Wish

Dear Jeebus Yoda Claus,

I know it’s only a couple days until Christmas, but I wanted to make sure you knew what to get me. I’ve been a very good boy all year long. What I want, out of the entire world is…

I Watched: Black Swan

Black Swan – (2010) – Dir. Darren Aronofsky – 103 min. – USA

A movie about ballet doesn’t really jump at most people in today’s action-packed, 3D-converted world. But if you bring together the right people with a script dripping with drama, sexuality, and multiple personalities, then you’ll find people willing to say “hey, so I watched that ballet movie this weekend…”

If you want a sense of “Black Swan’s” tone, you just need to be reminded that director Darren Aronofsky was the man behind “Requiem for a Dream” and “The Wrestler“. He has shown the ability to reach inside your head and pull at anything he sees. While infamous in the indie film scene, none of his films have made more than $45 million at the box office. But they have produced numerous film festival and mainstream award nominations and wins.

AT-AT Day Afternoon

Now, this is the kind of pet I can get into! Enjoy.

Star Wars: The Old Republic E3 2010 Trailer

This was by far, my favorite trailer from E3. Their first one was already pretty awesome. The second one doesn’t disappoint.

I know the game play won’t look like this, but if a trailer’s job is to get people excited about a game: SOLD! And I don’t even play MMOs (massively multiplayer online game).

Even if you don’t play video games, just enjoy the visual awesomeness.

P.S.: I wonder when Luke is going to learn how to do the Jedi hadoken. I hope Yoda wrote down the code for that somewhere.

Sensory Overload: The Notorious B.I.G.- Sky’s The Limit

Even before my hiatus, I was supposed to post this around Biggie’s 13th Death Anniversary (March 9). But hell, I don’t want this to stay in the on-deck circle of my blog for another year. So in his belated honor, I’d like to highlight one of my favorite videos that doesn’t normally get a lot of play.

Dir. Spike Jonze – Bad Boy Records/ Artista Records – 1997 – USA

Biggie was assassinated 15 days prior to the release of his second album, Life After Death. Following “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems”, “Sky’s the Limit” was the third single released off the album. An unlikely director was chosen for the music video: Spike Jonze. Unlikely because Jonze was almost the opposite of Hype Williams, the director of Biggie’s previous videos. Jonze had directed videos for mostly alternative artists, with his Hiphop credentials being the Pharcyde and the Beastie Boys (who unfortunately, many don’t recognize as Hiphop pioneers). They aren’t the most flashy artists, which is the perfect adjective to describe Hype Williams’ videos.

Since Jonze couldn’t use the primary artist for the video, he used a child actor to act as Biggie. Running with this theme, he replaced most of the adult figures with child doppelgangers.  I don’t think this was just because he had to find an alternative to Biggie, but because the song itself. Thinking that “the sky is the limit” is something kids are told all the time. As we grow up, our optimism tends to die off and we get old, angry, and “realistic”. This song, written by a very adult Biggie, reminds us to keep having dreams, no matter how old we get.

Jonze keeps many of the known Hiphop video stereotypes: flashy cars, big houses, fish-eye lens, etc. But he does it in a more ironic way. Especially since its a child Biggie driving the car. This also proves Jonze has the ability to direct a Hype Williams-like video if he wanted to. I’m glad he doesn’t.

I think it’s unfortunate that this song and video isn’t out there as much. Maybe it’s the positive message? Or because of Spike Jonze? Either way, I think it’s two things Hiphop needs more of. Especially nowadays.

Did you know?: Sofia Coppola was credited with coming up with the concept for the video. Jonze and Coppola were married for four years.

and how could I forget…Happy 89th Birthday Yuri Kochiyama!

I can’t forget about one of the biggest pioneers of Asian American activism. She helped connect me more with my own identity and reminded me that while it’s okay to be proud of Filipino and all that, I should always be an internationalist. I love the film X, but one thing I wish they included was reference to Yuri, since she was present at Malcolm’s assassination.

One of my favorite moments here in the Bay was being at an anti-war demonstration and seeing her out there. I was hella starstruck. Even if she couldn’t physically march, she still knew how important it was for her to be there. I hope all of us who are active in our community live as long as she has. Mabuhay si Yuri!

Happy 85th Birthday Malcolm X!

It was in high school where I first listened and read the words of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz aka Malcolm X. The teacher who introduced Malcolm X to me was my favorite high school teacher, Ms. Gaulin (who got married after I graduated and I don’t know what her new name is now). For the first time, I was able to relate to the words of someone in English class. This helped ignite my path towards self-discovery and lead to where I am today with my consciousness.

Like many important leaders, he was taken from the world much sooner than he should have been. His words still live deep in many of us and his autobiography is still the starting point for many activists and organizers.

We recognize his birthday and gain inspiration from his work in order to advance our own. I am proud to share the same birthday month as him. Mabuhay si Malcolm X!

(he has a lot of powerful speeches out there, but I’m feeling this one the most today, so happy birthday!)

What Is the Most Successful Movie Franchise of All Time?

I must admit the sins of all sins: I have never read a Harry Potter book or watched the movies. It’s not anything against the franchise, I just never got into it. But having many friends obsessed with it, I’ll trust their judgment.

I also think this says something about the quality over quantity of the films. Some of those 007 films were just crap. All of the Harry Potter films have at least a 75% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Never underestimate the power of a good movie.

Ironically speaking, I’m just glad that my favorite movie franchise is still up there, even with very crappy prequels. Nothing beats a very loyal fan base.

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http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/lifeslittlemysteries-what-is-the-most-successful-movie-franchise-of-all-time.html

What Is the Most Successful Movie Franchise of All Time?

by Mike Avila, Life’s Little Mysteries Contributor · May 13, 2010

The most successful movie franchise of all time is the “Harry Potter” series, which recently edged out another famous Brit: James Bond.

According to Box Office Mojo, the first six adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s beloved books have earned a staggering $5.4 billion worldwide, not adjusted for inflation.

The 22 films considered part of the official Bond canon (the 1967 spoof “Casino Royale” and the 1983 out-of-continuity “Never Say Never Again” don’t count) have earned an estimated $5 billion globally. But even if the earnings of those two films were included, it still wouldn’t be enough to put 007 on top.