GIP
Okay, I may have reservations about the movie from the trailer, but I still liked the trailer enough to make a simple icon.
Current Mood:
creative
Okay, I may have reservations about the movie from the trailer, but I still liked the trailer enough to make a simple icon.
Current Mood:
creative*headdesk* No, no, no!
Dammit, Shyamalan! Did you even watch the show?? I mean....okay, it looks cool and all with the bending and the martial arts and the dark feel, and the bitchin' soundtrack, and if I hadn't fallen in love with the TV show, I might think this was pretty awesome. But you don't have to be Christopher Nolan here, man. Give me some laughter, some light-hearted bantering. Some slapstick, even. It shouldn't be this dark!
Okay, you know what? I'm gonna leave you alone so you can do your thing. Just...don't try to do anything overly clever here. You know how easily you can get in over your head.
Oh, and where's the giant freakin' bison???
[EDIT:] Oh, I see him! Upper left, at about :10. Hi, Appa!
Current Mood:
annoyed
Dammit, Shyamalan! Did you even watch the show?? I mean....okay, it looks cool and all with the bending and the martial arts and the dark feel, and the bitchin' soundtrack, and if I hadn't fallen in love with the TV show, I might think this was pretty awesome. But you don't have to be Christopher Nolan here, man. Give me some laughter, some light-hearted bantering. Some slapstick, even. It shouldn't be this dark!
Okay, you know what? I'm gonna leave you alone so you can do your thing. Just...don't try to do anything overly clever here. You know how easily you can get in over your head.
Oh, and where's the giant freakin' bison???
[EDIT:] Oh, I see him! Upper left, at about :10. Hi, Appa!
Current Mood:
annoyedGroundhog Day
I just had this thought that it'd be a neat meme that, for an hour or two tomorrow, everyone posts the exact same thing they did today. You know, Groundhog Day repeating. But then I realized that if you announced such a meme on Groundhog Day, you'd get an infinite loop. And nobody wants that.
I just had this thought that it'd be a neat meme that, for an hour or two tomorrow, everyone posts the exact same thing they did today. You know, Groundhog Day repeating. But then I realized that if you announced such a meme on Groundhog Day, you'd get an infinite loop. And nobody wants that.
Legion: a Review
I had the opportunity to see Legion last night. I wasn't expecting too much, really. The trailer looked like "What if Sam Raimi directed The Prophecy?" But I happen to like films about warrior angels and I was very keen on seeing what this story's take on angels was.
The similarities between this movie and The Prophecy are obvious: It's some sort of apocalypse, there are angels fighting each other, and for some reason it takes place in a desert. Oh, and Gabriel's a bad guy. But beyond that they're pretty different. The Prophecy, though it's often in the Horror section, is not a horror movie. It's a supernatural thriller about angels.
Legion, on the other hand, is definitely a horror flick. I would say even classically so. It's essentially about a disparate group of people under siege in a diner who learn about each other while they keep getting attacked. It's a very human movie with flawed characters trying to overcome their weaknesses to stay alive.
Action-wise, yes, there was a lot of action in this movie. Lots of bullets flying, blades cutting, people getting slammed to and fro. I've read bits of other reviews which seem to think that there wasn't enough action in the movie. The reviews complain about a lot of sappy dialogue slowing down the action. I felt that there was pretty much the right amount of dialogue. Or maybe it's just because I like exposition and scenes where characters interact and try to learn about each other.
Thematically, the movie is about the choices we make and having the strength to live with those choices. In the end, it's not about the rewards you get, it's not about how other people see you, it's about belief in yourself and your decisions. Each character comes to terms with some aspect of their life that they're either seeking redemption for or trying to justify in some way.
Let's talk a bit about the angels. We really only see two close-up. But what I noticed first about the angels was their armor. It's beautiful. And the weaponry? oooh... I want Gabriel's mace so very badly! And I'm not really a mace person. I'm more into axes. Also, angel wings are bulletproof. But what I like the most about the angels: they wear collars. Why is this important? In the first scene, and in the trailer, you see Michael cutting off his wings and removing his collar. When he does so, there's a flash of light around his head. The collar is his halo! That ring of light that is associated with holiness in angels and saints is, in this movie, a symbol of subservience! I like it.
This movie made me feel good. I left the theater feeling energized and ready to take on the world. You don't often get that in a horror movie and that's what makes this movie special. Now, I'm not saying you're definitely going to love this movie. But it's certainly my kind of movie and I'm very glad I had the experience.
I had the opportunity to see Legion last night. I wasn't expecting too much, really. The trailer looked like "What if Sam Raimi directed The Prophecy?" But I happen to like films about warrior angels and I was very keen on seeing what this story's take on angels was.
The similarities between this movie and The Prophecy are obvious: It's some sort of apocalypse, there are angels fighting each other, and for some reason it takes place in a desert. Oh, and Gabriel's a bad guy. But beyond that they're pretty different. The Prophecy, though it's often in the Horror section, is not a horror movie. It's a supernatural thriller about angels.
Legion, on the other hand, is definitely a horror flick. I would say even classically so. It's essentially about a disparate group of people under siege in a diner who learn about each other while they keep getting attacked. It's a very human movie with flawed characters trying to overcome their weaknesses to stay alive.
Action-wise, yes, there was a lot of action in this movie. Lots of bullets flying, blades cutting, people getting slammed to and fro. I've read bits of other reviews which seem to think that there wasn't enough action in the movie. The reviews complain about a lot of sappy dialogue slowing down the action. I felt that there was pretty much the right amount of dialogue. Or maybe it's just because I like exposition and scenes where characters interact and try to learn about each other.
Thematically, the movie is about the choices we make and having the strength to live with those choices. In the end, it's not about the rewards you get, it's not about how other people see you, it's about belief in yourself and your decisions. Each character comes to terms with some aspect of their life that they're either seeking redemption for or trying to justify in some way.
Let's talk a bit about the angels. We really only see two close-up. But what I noticed first about the angels was their armor. It's beautiful. And the weaponry? oooh... I want Gabriel's mace so very badly! And I'm not really a mace person. I'm more into axes. Also, angel wings are bulletproof. But what I like the most about the angels: they wear collars. Why is this important? In the first scene, and in the trailer, you see Michael cutting off his wings and removing his collar. When he does so, there's a flash of light around his head. The collar is his halo! That ring of light that is associated with holiness in angels and saints is, in this movie, a symbol of subservience! I like it.
This movie made me feel good. I left the theater feeling energized and ready to take on the world. You don't often get that in a horror movie and that's what makes this movie special. Now, I'm not saying you're definitely going to love this movie. But it's certainly my kind of movie and I'm very glad I had the experience.
What was that movie?
There was a movie in the 80s about a computer that gains sentience after being sprayed with champagne or something. And then it falls in love with a cello player. It plays along with the cello in that famous cello piece that keeps popping up in commercials and I really should know the name and composer of the piece but I'm lame.
Does anybody remember what the movie's called? It's driving me crazy!
There was a movie in the 80s about a computer that gains sentience after being sprayed with champagne or something. And then it falls in love with a cello player. It plays along with the cello in that famous cello piece that keeps popping up in commercials and I really should know the name and composer of the piece but I'm lame.
Does anybody remember what the movie's called? It's driving me crazy!
Brutal Legend
So, you want to know what the game Brutal Legend is like? It's this: You lead an army of True Metal against other types of Metal. And your lieutenants are Lemmy, Rob Halford, and Lita Ford. (Okay, not actually them, but animated characters with their actual voices.) Oh yeah, and Ozzy Osbourne is this wizard who lives in a cave and you go to him for power-ups.
You get to ride around a truly awe-inspiring world in a nice little ride you call The Druid Plow with a ball-busting soundtrack. In time you get to give it new paint jobs and install machine guns, armor, and rocket launchers. And at a certain point you get poisoned by a demon and grow wings. Yes, that's right. Just in case the game wasn't awesome enough, you now get to fly!
There are no words for how bloody brilliant this game is! When my army discovered a tribe of women led by Lita Ford who ride fire-breathing beasts and wear KISS make-up I thought I would plotz!
This game is over-the-top metal and it gets everything right! And yet it doesn't take itself too seriously. For example, I got to ride one of the fire-breathing beasts with Lita Ford and when I got off and walked away I could hear her behind me say, "We're alone now, my love." I had to take a moment to shudder before moving on.
It's apparent that a lot of love went into the making of this game. It's just so perfect. I am truly grateful that this game exists, and that my Secret Santa got it for me.
Current Mood:
cheerful
So, you want to know what the game Brutal Legend is like? It's this: You lead an army of True Metal against other types of Metal. And your lieutenants are Lemmy, Rob Halford, and Lita Ford. (Okay, not actually them, but animated characters with their actual voices.) Oh yeah, and Ozzy Osbourne is this wizard who lives in a cave and you go to him for power-ups.
You get to ride around a truly awe-inspiring world in a nice little ride you call The Druid Plow with a ball-busting soundtrack. In time you get to give it new paint jobs and install machine guns, armor, and rocket launchers. And at a certain point you get poisoned by a demon and grow wings. Yes, that's right. Just in case the game wasn't awesome enough, you now get to fly!
There are no words for how bloody brilliant this game is! When my army discovered a tribe of women led by Lita Ford who ride fire-breathing beasts and wear KISS make-up I thought I would plotz!
This game is over-the-top metal and it gets everything right! And yet it doesn't take itself too seriously. For example, I got to ride one of the fire-breathing beasts with Lita Ford and when I got off and walked away I could hear her behind me say, "We're alone now, my love." I had to take a moment to shudder before moving on.
It's apparent that a lot of love went into the making of this game. It's just so perfect. I am truly grateful that this game exists, and that my Secret Santa got it for me.
Current Mood:
cheerful
bouncyIt's a Trap!
What movies can you think of that have the line, "It's a trap!" or some variant thereof? I can think of three. Of course, Return of the Jedi with our beloved Admiral Ackbar. Then there's the Operative in Serenity: "That is a trap."And there's Ash in Army of Darkness: "It's a trap. Get an ax."What others?
What movies can you think of that have the line, "It's a trap!" or some variant thereof? I can think of three. Of course, Return of the Jedi with our beloved Admiral Ackbar. Then there's the Operative in Serenity: "That is a trap."
But....but....Oh hell, I'll just go with it. Clash of the Titans, people! Get Ready to Rumble!
I feel like something inside me just died. And yet...ooh! Exciting! Apparently all you have to do to get me to like a trailer is to use a power metal soundtrack and include a lot of growling and quick cuts of slashes and grimacing faces. Whee!
(I don't get it. They look pretty color-coordinated to me...)
I feel like something inside me just died. And yet...ooh! Exciting! Apparently all you have to do to get me to like a trailer is to use a power metal soundtrack and include a lot of growling and quick cuts of slashes and grimacing faces. Whee!
(I don't get it. They look pretty color-coordinated to me...)
Flash-Forward
Imagine it's 20 years in the future and you're invited to a Naughties Party where you can party like it's a few years after 1999! You're encouraged to come in costume.
Poll #1483208 Re-live the Naughties!
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 3
Imagine it's 20 years in the future and you're invited to a Naughties Party where you can party like it's a few years after 1999! You're encouraged to come in costume.
Poll #1483208 Re-live the Naughties!
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 3
How do you dress?
What song do you make the DJ play?
What song do you pay the DJ not to play?
What vintage catch phrase is that annoying guy you wish you could've forgotten about throwing at everyone who tries to slip past him?
Seeking Music
Okay, Livejournal people, I need songs about personal growth. Whaddya got?
Okay, Livejournal people, I need songs about personal growth. Whaddya got?
Writer's Block: What is your muse?
Unfortunately, yes. That's why I write, or compose, or design. I don't do it for myself because that stuff is already in my head. The point is to get this stuff out of my head in a form that I can show it to others. I guess you can say it enhances the creative process because otherwise it wouldn't happen. And I suppose it impedes the progress if I think someone won't like it or if I think there's no interest in it.
Obviously I'm doing it all wrong. I wonder if anyone else thinks like this.
Unfortunately, yes. That's why I write, or compose, or design. I don't do it for myself because that stuff is already in my head. The point is to get this stuff out of my head in a form that I can show it to others. I guess you can say it enhances the creative process because otherwise it wouldn't happen. And I suppose it impedes the progress if I think someone won't like it or if I think there's no interest in it.
Obviously I'm doing it all wrong. I wonder if anyone else thinks like this.
A Gleeful Noise?
I started watching "Glee" through Hulu ('cause they're aliens). As a consequence, I now have the song "Gold Digger" stuck in my head. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I've never heard the original version of the song. And I've only heard the "Glee" version once. Do you know what version is stuck in my head? The Weird Al polka version. Over and over.
[EDIT] Decided to go ahead and listen to the Kanye version. Had a strong urge to interrupt it halfway through to inform him that the Glee version was better.
I started watching "Glee" through Hulu ('cause they're aliens). As a consequence, I now have the song "Gold Digger" stuck in my head. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I've never heard the original version of the song. And I've only heard the "Glee" version once. Do you know what version is stuck in my head? The Weird Al polka version. Over and over.
[EDIT] Decided to go ahead and listen to the Kanye version. Had a strong urge to interrupt it halfway through to inform him that the Glee version was better.
New New Nightmare!
A Nightmare on Elm Street in HD
Not a bad trailer. I kinda like it. Except for one thing: Freddy speaks in the beginning of the trailer like he's innocent of the accusations. Does that mean he didn't really kill those children in this version? I'm not sure how that works. I mean, I get how it can add a layer of sympathy for the character and that maybe in some sick way these kids deserve to get slaughtered in their dreams for their parents' mistake. Hmm, maybe that's simply how the story translates now from the 80s.
Think about it. The 80s was the decade of excess. Freddy was a guy who just couldn't get enough. He indulged in his fantasies in life as much as he could and simply continued after his death, dreaming up ever more elaborate ways to torture and kill. He didn't go after just the naughty teenagers. He went after everybody, innocent or guilty.
But now, perhaps there's a bid to add a bit of a moral about personal responsibility to the story. In both stories, the parents are punished for daring to bypass the normal wheels of justice and take matters into their own hands. But in the 80s they're justified. They simply didn't count on Freddy not being able to die. Now, they're just blind and misguided and created a creature of evil out of an innocent man? hmm.
This is all speculation based on a couple of lines. I really don't know how they changed the plot.
A Nightmare on Elm Street in HD
Not a bad trailer. I kinda like it. Except for one thing: Freddy speaks in the beginning of the trailer like he's innocent of the accusations. Does that mean he didn't really kill those children in this version? I'm not sure how that works. I mean, I get how it can add a layer of sympathy for the character and that maybe in some sick way these kids deserve to get slaughtered in their dreams for their parents' mistake. Hmm, maybe that's simply how the story translates now from the 80s.
Think about it. The 80s was the decade of excess. Freddy was a guy who just couldn't get enough. He indulged in his fantasies in life as much as he could and simply continued after his death, dreaming up ever more elaborate ways to torture and kill. He didn't go after just the naughty teenagers. He went after everybody, innocent or guilty.
But now, perhaps there's a bid to add a bit of a moral about personal responsibility to the story. In both stories, the parents are punished for daring to bypass the normal wheels of justice and take matters into their own hands. But in the 80s they're justified. They simply didn't count on Freddy not being able to die. Now, they're just blind and misguided and created a creature of evil out of an innocent man? hmm.
This is all speculation based on a couple of lines. I really don't know how they changed the plot.
Dollhouse Season Premiere
Remember this post?
Bastard did it to us again having them almost kiss in a flashback. I wonder if it's going to be a yearly theme.
Current Mood:
amused
Remember this post?
Bastard did it to us again having them almost kiss in a flashback. I wonder if it's going to be a yearly theme.
Current Mood:
amusedLinux "Supplies!"
I've been using Ubuntu Linux now for several years now and I'm amazed at how quickly it's advancing. It should not be easier than Windows, and yet I can install it now and everything "just works." I actually have to do more to get things working when I install Windows these days. Granted, I'm still using XP because the main program I installed Windows to use doesn't work with Vista. (I don't know about 7.)
Of course it still has its problems. The latest Ubuntu doesn't work with some older graphics cards I discovered. The solution (so far) is to downgrade bits of the OS. Irritating. On the other hand, if you have a graphics card that uses proprietary drivers, it's just a matter of clicking a button and Ubuntu says, "Oh hai! There are proprietary drivers available. Wanna use 'em?" And it's kinda done.
Just recently I learned that the screensaver controller I'd been using, gnomesaver, the one that has no way to change preferences, is not the best option. It's simply the default for Ubuntu. Why? I have no idea. Because the one it replaced, Xscreensaver, is awesome! It's fully customizable and has about a hundred more screensavers! I'm having a giggly good time configuring stuff, like my Star Wars scrolling screensaver now uses the opening monologues from all the seasons of Babylon 5. It did require manually disabling gnomesaver and I'd have to jump through some hoops to actually uninstall it, but it's good for now.
Anyway, Linux is fun. Just thought I'd share.
I've been using Ubuntu Linux now for several years now and I'm amazed at how quickly it's advancing. It should not be easier than Windows, and yet I can install it now and everything "just works." I actually have to do more to get things working when I install Windows these days. Granted, I'm still using XP because the main program I installed Windows to use doesn't work with Vista. (I don't know about 7.)
Of course it still has its problems. The latest Ubuntu doesn't work with some older graphics cards I discovered. The solution (so far) is to downgrade bits of the OS. Irritating. On the other hand, if you have a graphics card that uses proprietary drivers, it's just a matter of clicking a button and Ubuntu says, "Oh hai! There are proprietary drivers available. Wanna use 'em?" And it's kinda done.
Just recently I learned that the screensaver controller I'd been using, gnomesaver, the one that has no way to change preferences, is not the best option. It's simply the default for Ubuntu. Why? I have no idea. Because the one it replaced, Xscreensaver, is awesome! It's fully customizable and has about a hundred more screensavers! I'm having a giggly good time configuring stuff, like my Star Wars scrolling screensaver now uses the opening monologues from all the seasons of Babylon 5. It did require manually disabling gnomesaver and I'd have to jump through some hoops to actually uninstall it, but it's good for now.
Anyway, Linux is fun. Just thought I'd share.
QOTD
We must strive for excellence in everything we do. Except the Hokey Pokey. You can go ahead and phone that in.
We must strive for excellence in everything we do. Except the Hokey Pokey. You can go ahead and phone that in.
Happy 9/9/9!
Last night on a whim I decided to try making a 999 icon for today in Photoshop based on the 666 icon I have, and then I sort of went forward and tried experimenting with After Effects a bit. Then I fed that back into Photoshop to create an animated gif. I decided not to bother to try to make it small enough for Livejournal icons. That's often a very frustrating journey.
It's not perfect, but it's cute.
And then I fed that into Pro Tools and made a quick 10 second theme.
I find this all rather neat, but it's frustrating that I've spent the past couple of weeks trying to come up with a logo for my web page and have so far failed, yet this just popped up and I did all this in a few hours. So apparently I can pretty much do anything if I'm inspired to do so. Too bad I don't get inspired much.
Last night on a whim I decided to try making a 999 icon for today in Photoshop based on the 666 icon I have, and then I sort of went forward and tried experimenting with After Effects a bit. Then I fed that back into Photoshop to create an animated gif. I decided not to bother to try to make it small enough for Livejournal icons. That's often a very frustrating journey.
It's not perfect, but it's cute.
And then I fed that into Pro Tools and made a quick 10 second theme.
I find this all rather neat, but it's frustrating that I've spent the past couple of weeks trying to come up with a logo for my web page and have so far failed, yet this just popped up and I did all this in a few hours. So apparently I can pretty much do anything if I'm inspired to do so. Too bad I don't get inspired much.