The Hangover

The Hangover directed by Todd Phillips, starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham, Rachel Harris, Mike Tyson, Jeffrey Tambor, Rob Riggle, and Ken Jeong.

I hadn't seen this movie in a long time but was quickly reminded of how brilliant it was.  It didn't take long to be reminded of it either.  One of my favorite aspects of the movie is how it takes the detective type of story and kind of turns it on its head and creates an interesting mystery within the confines of a buddy comedy movie.  Another thing this movie has aged well and will continue to age well.

The opening scene sets the tone for the first act and offers a curiosity into what happened.

This movie is perfectly paced and has a perfect run time. No scene ever over stays its welcome and matching the time and pace perfectly of the whole movie.  Nor does any of the humor become reduced to dick, fart, gross out humor, or that improvisational humor that stretches out scenes longer than they need to be stretched out.  The humor is derived from situational and character - which means it will last longer over time and is actually funny.  The situational humor kicks in right after the first act of the movie has set up all the character and established their personalities and quirks. It's one of the better first opening acts I've seen from a comedy in a long time.  It's focused and secure in what it's doing with no need to rely on anything but the characters being themselves.  This is enough to set the flow and pace of the movie.

When the second act kicks in, it kicks in with the full force of the hangover of the title.  This scene opens up with one of the best second act comedy openings I've ever seen as it sets up everything that is to come with a set production that is simply amazing.  All of the debauchery and chaos of the night before are given room to visually breath, then add into that each character as they wake up with their visual touch just adding to the production already seen just minutes before.  Everything in this scene adds up well with nothing deterring away from the story or characters, all that stems from here does so in a chronological way with nothing going over the top or distracting from the story or characters.  Everything feels organic in a detective sort of way as it's easy to get caught in the mystery of what happened the night before.  That curiosity never wavers from a frame of this movie.

All the actors do a marvelous job of establishing their characters and injecting them with an honesty that makes them feel real.  By doing this they help the story line to be that much more relate able. I liked the fact none of the characters escaped this story without incurring some form of physical harm, for some reason I thought this was wise move with the story.  It also has a good, all enclosing ending that ties up most loose threads with one character must needed growing up.

The cameo role by Mike Tyson is simply put - brilliant. It comes out of nowhere but doesn't distract from the story as it only adds to the insanity and curiosity of what happened the night before.

No sequels were needed at all.

Sense 8

Sense 8 created by The Wachowski Siblings and J. Michael Straczynski, starring Aml Ameen, Doona Bae, Jamie Clayton, Tina Desai, Tuppence Middleton, Max Reimelt, Miguel Angel Silvetre, Brian J. Smith, Alfonso Herrera, Max Mauff, Freeman Agyeman, Naveen Andrews, and Daryl Hannah.

The only thing that saved this show was the concept because the agenda pushing of the narrative was daunting to deal with but I suffered through that because of the concept of eight people being able to share their lives with each other despite the geographical distant I found completely fascinating.  Another thing I liked about this show was the diverse cast.  This is one TV show that can boost of having one of the most diverse casts out there, characters range from America, London, Iceland, Germany, Africa, Japan, Mexico, and India, with a cast to match those cultures as well.   Each different part of that world had its own diverse production design and cultural effect, which made each change to character unique.  All of this made this show interesting as it turned into more of a character study than an over all arching plot of show.  I can't say I was prepared for this but I did go along with it.

What didn't help the show was the agenda pushing of gay, lesbian, and transgender as the only forms of a stable relationship.  These people were they people in this show where their partner was giving ample air and story time where as a straight person's relationship was never explored or even hinted at.  I felt if there had been this focus on a straight person I think the show would have more than accomplished the balancing act they were striving for but by not doing this, the show doesn't fell complete. It feels lacking.

The show also suffers by the end with the Wachowski's utter lack of wanting to reveal any sort of answers as they've become to be known for doing.  Good to know they still like to revel in the philosophical mumbo jumbo that offer no answers but only more questions.  The only thing that saved this show was the focus on characters and I've got a feeling Straczynki influence can be thanked for this.

Not a great show but one I found interesting.  There is so much potential here but most of it becomes wasted as the show progresses.  If the concept does click with you, I think you will have a good time watching it otherwise proceed with caution.   

Dune

Dune written by Frank Herbert.

I read this over the summer - my 5th time reading through this book and it had been over 3 years since I've read it last time.  This is my second favorite sci-fi novel of all time.  It used to be my favorite but Dan Simmons Hyperion books eventually took it down.  The fact that it's still on my top list does say something about this book and what Herbert has done with the story.   Even after 5 times of reading through it, I've got to say it's still a really good book as it is basically a retelling of Shakespeare's Henry V told in a science fiction setting.  It still holds up well to that comparison.

At the time I read this it was one of the most complex novels I had ever read, even after the 5th time the complexity of the world building Herbert did is still impressive.  The universe he creates is extremely detailed with some great characters that help to bring this story to life.  Now I would call this book a precursor to Game of Thrones.  I didn't realize how much politics were in this book and how much political machinations played a role in the story, until this read through.  Game of Thrones owes a lot of its vastness to Dune.  I really like the cultural creation Herbert did with population of Dune and in particular with the Fremen whose viewpoint of life has been completely influenced by the desert planet Dune.  Their perspective of life soon shifts into the driving point of the story as the main character (Paul) and all other characters become caught up the Fremen philosophy.  They feel like a living, breathing people such is the detail Herbert interjects into them.

After all of these years of starting Dune, it is still one of the best books ever written and has held up well over time. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens directed by J. J. Abrams, screenplay helped by Lawrence Kasdan (this is huge having him back in Star Wars as his return is warm welcome), starring Daisy Ridley, Tom Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill.

First thing I will say as I've mentioned above - I am very glad that Lawrence Kasdan has returned to the fold of Star Wars.  His scripting duties were sourly missed with the prequels and his not being there cleared showed with stilted and awkward dialogue that only continued to show how out of touch with reality Lucas had become over the years.  Where as this movie revives the tight, crisp dialogue he brought with Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.  This time around he has even sharpened and honed his dialogue even more as it sizzles with more humor as the characters relate to each other in more realistic ways that feel even more natural than his previous screenplays.  I am so glad Kasdan has returned.   

Well this movie completely renewed my faith in live action Star Wars movies.  After the utter failure of the lifeless and passionless prequels, which only managed to prove how much George Lucas didn't know about the world and universe he created, it was good to be reminded of how much I love the live action Star Wars movie.  And missed them.  There can be much said about how much this movie recycled bits and pieces from the original trilogy or how there is a lack of character development or how plot points and pot holes do emerge as the story marches one - but to say this is to forget how much the original trilogy also had these types of elements with in yet we didn't care.  I don't care about them here either because this movie revives all the fun and excitement of the original trilogy as it quickly adheres to the word OPERA in the space-opera of these movies.  This must be remembered when watching these movies.  They are an opera.  They will be cheesy.  But they should be fun, exciting, and a thrill ride a minute.  This movie is all that and more.

Thank you Abrams, thank you very much.

This is just an all out fun movie with manic pacing that once it starts after the characters are introduced it never lets up.  What good, new characters that have been introduced to the Star Wars universe both female and male that seem to be having a blast being in a Star Wars movie - this passion and joy show in every frame they are in making it very easy to relate to and like these actors. 

This analogy from my brother completely summons up the experience of watching Star Wars the Force Awakens: Ratatouille, this movie is like that scene from Ratatouille where the food critic ate that dish and was immediately brought back to his childhood just with one taste of Ratatouille.  This movie is like that in that it immediately brought me back to my childhood and watching Star Wars with such wild abandon. Looking forward to next movies in this trilogy and any other movies Disney will release in the Star Wars universe. 

Fantastic 4

Fantastic 4 directed by Josh Trank, starring Miles Teller, Jamie Bell, Michael B. Jordan, and Kate Mara.

Well this movie lived up to all the bad hype I'd read about.  If you want a good example on how not to make a superhero/comic adaption this movie can be held high as a how not to.  This is a shame because they did get some good actors to play the Fantastic 4, they just didn't give them anything to do.  With a pacing that moved through things faster than the Flash chugging Red Bulls, speed, and all forms of energy drinks at the same time, so much so the story never really gave the characters or their relationships to each other time to breathe.  The movie didn't even both being cliched with any character as it just lightly touched upon just the tops of each cliche without even embracing the cliched, which left all the characters as nothing more than an empty shadow.  It didn't even feel like the screenplay writers tried to make a good movie and their lack of passion is in about every frame of this film. 

I longing for the day when Marvel gets these characters back into their fold because I would love to see what they would do with them not just with a movie but with the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well.  Here's hoping that day comes soon because I wouldn't question a remake on this series but would wholly embrace it.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. written and directed by Guy Richie, starring Alicia Vikander, Henry Cavill, and Armie Hammer.

This was just a fun buddy cop type of movie set in the 1960's.  This movie doesn't aspire to be anything else but fun and in my opinion this movie succeeded on every level of that aspiration.  Guy Richie's direction is once again really getting the hang of these action films.  He continues to maintain good control and communication on the action scenes, never letting them get out of control or ahead of him.  There is never any confusion as to what is happening with the action scene - for some directors they think over editing and flashy effects are the only way to go with these types of scenes.  Whereas subtly and less is more is better.  The production design and costumes in this movie also compliments the direction - which Richie wants to show and not hide in lazy direction.  By doing this the production and wardrobe is given full room to live and breathe as they becomes another character in the movie.  Then and the three leads into this mix who really go all out with their roles as the chemistry between all three is full of sizzle and sparks making this movie one fun ride from beginning to end.

A good time to spend watching a movie.  I don't think you will be disappointed.

Daredevil: Season One

Daredevil: Season One, starring Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Rosario Dawson, and Scot Glenn.

All I can say is Marvel has does it again.

Unlike the movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this series is more personal and really dives into the personality and characters of the main character and characters around him.  It is a slow burn of show that is more concerned with building the personality of Matt Murdock than it is with his alter ego Daredevil.  It is also more focused on Murdock's relationship with his best friend Foggy Nelson and the other characters around him than it is with the persona of Daredevil.  This was a huge risk on Marvel's part but it was a gamble that paid off in that the person of Matt Murdock and Daredevil is one of the more complex persons in the MCU and it all the better for this as well.  But don't get me wrong there are some serious action scenes woven throughout this show that are some well choreographed fight scenes.  This show owes a lot to Nolan's Batman in the darker and gritter aspects it brings to being a superhero.  Along with this Nolan connection also comes a drive for continuity snaking its way through each episode, which is something most TV shows have long forgotten.  But Daredevil picks up these loose threads from the previous episode and weaves them into the next episode with some great precision.

Another thing this show got right was building up the character of Wilson Fisk (soon to be the Kingpin of crime) played with some brilliance by Vincent D'Onofrio.  Fisk is one of the best villains introduced in the MCU since Loki.  They also chose to dive into the past and character of Fisk with the same depth as Murdock, in so doing they created a good foil for both characters. 

I will say this about the MCU there are things I don't necessarily like about their world.  They can take minor short cuts and flirt with some plot holes at times but I find myself not caring at this because the characters they create are more interesting than the what they get wrong. 

Spy

Spy written and directed by Paul Feig, starring Melissa McCarthy, John Statham, Rose Byrne, and Jude Law.

I didn't quite know what to expect from this movie but I was rather pleased when it turned out to be as funny as it did.  I was also glad the humor didn't fall into the dick, fart, and shock humor of most of the comedies today.  This was a pretty funny movie that kept a smile on my face for most of the run time.  I think it was about 10-15 minutes to long but I didn't mind that to much.

I will also say who would have thought Jason Statham could be this funny as his straight man to McCarthy's comedy almost stole the whole movie.  It was good seeing Jude Law kind of kick back and have some fun much like he did in the Sherlock Holmes movies.  He makes a great partner with good actors as it just helps to show what a good actor he is.  

Not a bad way to spend an evening.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland directed by Brad Bird, starring George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie, Raffey Cassidy, and Tim McGraw.

The main problem with this movie is that it promised so much and then delivered nothing.  There's a great story lurking in this movie somewhere but it's never given time to breath. 

I've also come to the conclusion over the years that if there is anything that says written by Damon Lindelof avoid at all costs.  He is one of the worst writers out there.  His characters can't even be defined as cliched but more card board cut outs, that are as flat and lifeless as the material they are made out of.  I would even take cliched characters beside the stereotypes he marches out in front of the camera even the characters in Fast and Furious movies have more depth than the ones he creates.  
His plot and story will boil down to a terrible ending as he always generates interesting ideas but can never seem to pull of a good ending or any ending at all.  His stories always seem to be going somewhere but then when you get to the end you realize he had no idea where he was journeying to.  Look at his filmography if you don't believe me.  He's the main reason this film doesn't work. 

It's a shame to because this film is built on some good ideas.  It's just to bad there wasn't any focus or characters to bring those ideas to life.  I would actually welcome a remake of this movie later on with someone who could bring some well deserved direction to everything. 

Phases of Gravity

Phases of Gravity written by Dan Simmons.

Simmons is a rare writer who can weave between all kinds of genres with an ease that must frustrate a lot of other writers.  He does it with such a grasp of each genre that I'm baffled as to how he does it.  He's written all kinds of fiction: sci-fi, horror, historical, detective, real life, and literary.  His sci-fi novels consisting of Hyperion, Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, and Rise of Endymion are not only my favorite sci-fi books I've ever read but my favorite books I've ever read.  His horror book Carrion Comfort is the best horror book I've read.  Am I hyping him to much?  Not nearly enough.  The main reason is, is that I don't read a lot about him, which is a shame because he is one of the best writers I've ever read.  He consistently writes some of the best characters and his never afraid to reveal things in a story when most writers tend to hold everything to their chest and reveal nothing.  Simmons is not afraid to talk about the plot or pull the curtain away from plot threads in a story.  He's not insecure in that way and has complete faith and trust in the reader.  His stories never feel out of control.  Even his story Summer of Night - a horror story through and through I didn't like because it adhered to the horror genre to tightly but it was that sticking close to what that genre is about that made it a worthy addition to the horror genre. 

All of that being said Phases of Gravity really has no set story but is more of journey the main character takes to understand himself and the world he lives in.  Needless to say I found it very interesting as once again Simmons creates a fascinating character and the populates the story with more fascinating characters.  Despite the fact nothing really happens in the story, I didn't care because the characters were so interesting, their conversations deep without verging on literary pretentiousness crap that so many writers seem to vomit out now-a-days.  Simmons is concerned with the characters and the journey these characters make.  Their view points and philosophical thoughts ring true because that is where these characters are in their life.  They aren't just rumbling on to be a mouth piece for the writer - their words have context to them and what they are going through.  Another thing Simmons does well is that he's able to present both sides of a thought without seeming like he's preaching at you.  His arguments are always filtered with different points of view with most of the time both view points given their weight and due. 

I've got to say I did get caught up in the main characters journey to discover himself and to find a life outside of his space flights. 



 

The Sandman Overture

The Sandman Overture written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by J. H. Williams.

It's been so long since I've read a new story of Sandman and it's a welcome return to the world that Gaiman created so long ago.  I will start this out by saying The Sandman is my favorite comic series of all time and is on my person top 10 books of all time - so I am going to be biased when it comes to reviewing this.  But that being said if it does turn out bad I'm not afraid to say so.  It was a good thing it wasn't bad but a welcome addition to The Sandman story and that I will include in my every so year or two reading of that series. 

This story is basically a prequel to what happens in Sandman #1 as the final scene in this comic is the first scene that started off Sandman.  Giaman's writing is still spot on as he hasn't last any of his touch for writing Sandman over the years.  His ideas are still wild, insane, and completely thought provoking.  Then you mix into that soup Williams' out of this world art and the combination is simply one of the best comics to come out in a long time.  Everything about this comic was worth it.  I started collecting it when it came out in single issue form but Gaiman and Williams began taking 2-3 months or longer between issues that I decided to wait until the collected six issue came out at one and it was worth the wait to read it all at once.  This is the best way to read Gaiman's comic stuff anyhow because his stories flow into each other so well that it's like reading a book. 

He's one of the few comic writers out there where I'd put him up against some great book writers - his stuff is that good.  Williams is one of best artists to team up with Gaiman as his art work completely matched the wild ideas Gaiman was writing about but then again Williams has teamed up Moore before so I imagine it wasn't to hard a transition to Gaiman.  Illustrated-wise this is one of the most beautiful drawn comics out there - rich in detail with plenty of courses to feast on for the viewers eyes.  Many pages will demand to be be poured over with a fine comb just to pick out the little things hidden there - writing and illustrated that is.

Mr. Holmes

Mr. Holmes directed by Bill Condon, starring Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, and Milo Parker.

This is not a typical Sherlock Holmes type of story nor is it a typical Sherlock Holmes that the viewer is dealing with either.  This Holmes is more introspective and more emotional.  This Holmes is older and has a the weight of the world on his shoulders.  All of that being said this isn't a bad movie but not really a good movie either but more of an average movie.  The pacing is very slow and the movie feels longer than it really is, which isn't a good thing.  All in all not a bad watch and if you are a Sherlock Holmes fan (I am) then you need to see this just for the fandom effect. 

Southpaw

Southpaw directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, Oona Laurence, 50 Cent, and Naomie Harris.

An over all very cliched story line saved by the direction of Antoine Fuqua.  Nothing new is revealed or explored from a boxing story line perspective but boy did Fuqua's direction and production of this movie elevate it from normal status to extremely watchable.  Based on this movie alone I will be keeping my eye on Fuqua's later movies as I've really like what I've seen from him so far.  

The Aeronaut's Windlass

The Cinder Spires: The Aeronaut's Windlass written by Jim Butcher.

Truthfully I found most of this book very slow - it finally picked up over half way through the book and the only thing that kept me reading that much was Butcher's name.  The characters just don't have the same type of personality or character that his characters in the Dresden books have - this is the books main failing.  The other main failing is that I needed more detail of the world the characters lived in.  I never got a good idea of what this world was about and it needed more detail there because the world is a main character in the story.  This lack of character with the world really hurt the story because it's a world these characters inhabit so it needs to be a primary focus.  It needs to feel real and lived in, neither of which ever happened with this book. 

The over all idea of the story I really liked but nothing ever seemed to support this over all idea of steampunk and other creatures in the story.  They all felt like ideas not fully formed.  

I did finish the book and will most likely continue the series but I won't be seeking out the new book when it first comes out.  I'll be reading it at my leisure after it comes out.

Furious 7

Furious 7 directed by James Wan, starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordan Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Dwyane Johnson, and Kurt Russell.

An action movie franchise that has been saved and survived by sticking to the main theme of family.

All the action scenes and story line is completely over the top but I found myself not caring in the slightest as they movie sticks to the main focus of the series - family.  I like how this series has created some interesting characters to follow up on this theme, along with people I wouldn't mind hanging out with.  Another thing this series has been good at is giving the viewer a diverse group of people consisting of different cultures all with two common bonds - cars and family.  But this series has done interesting things in reviving it's own life from a standard cop and robber story into turning the story around into heist movies.  It has been all the better for it as these heist stories make more sense and give more flexibility with the themes and characters than just chasing each other around town. 

Entertaining and worth a watch.

The Fault in our Stars

The Fault in our Stars written by John Green.

I finally read this book after all they hype had passed over it and I've got say, it was a very good read with some well defined characters.  It's also not your typical romantic type of story or youth orientated story considering the two main characters are dealing with cancer and either have cancer or have dealt with it.  Right out of the gate it opens up with these themes but ultimately its the characters that sell this story.  Their personality and uniqueness made everything that happens worth while.  A good book with a twist on the romantic story line. 

Blood Rites

Blood Rites written by Jim Butcher.

I've been slowly rereading through the Dresden Files again, this is book #6.  And with each read I'm continually reminded what a wonderful job Butcher has done, not only with world building but in creating a cast of characters that I genuinely like.  Harry Dresden is the main character.  But it's also the secondary and side characters that I like.  He has has infused them with enough personality and quirks that I care about them and want to know more about them.  I don't read many books like this where the background characters are as as interesting as the main character.  Butcher also has this insane gift of not recycling story lines but continuing the over all story line with each book that is published in the Dresden series (now he is on book 14 of this series so far).

With this book Butcher makes a huge revelation in the series and this revelation is cared over in the books that follow but I like how it's not a cheap revelation.  It is a soap opera type of revelation but it doesn't feel tacked on.  It's completely earned as rereading this series has backed this up - Butcher has a master plan, nothing is left to chance or soap opera tactics.  Another thing I like about Butcher is how the talking segments of this book click with life and hold more weight than the action scenes or story line because I like how his characters relate to each other.  I look forward to reading about them talking and relating to each more than I do the action scenes or story lines that follow.  His characters are that rich in detail, that how they relate to each other I want to see happen.

By the ending of this book I can't wait for the next book because I know the dynamics of these characters are going to be changed and I want to see that change take place. They relate to each other is realistic ways, in ways that I think I could hang out most of the characters and just talk about life and nerd stuff.  In a strange way he has made me connect with them just by reading these books.  I've got a glimpse into their lives and lives that have some weight and experience to it because I've gone through the same sort of experience with them in a weird sort of way.

Also make no mistake Harry Dresden and his friends are some of the most original blue collar characters I've come across.   

Pixels

Pixels directed by Chris Columbus, starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, and Brian Cox.

In all honesty this is a terrible film but yet entertaining in a weird sort of way.  Don't get me wrong it is bad, and very bad at that. I still have yet to see an Adam Sandler comedy that is good.  The whole concept is absurd on so many levels as it caters to the slacker-to-the-end that will save the world syndrome.  I mean this film was custom made for Sandler and I think only he could have pulled it off to such terribleness as this film aspires to.

This movie has cult classic and guilty pleasure written all over it as it's destiny will likely be and I've got to admit that those two adjectives will be aptly applied.    

Terminator Genisys

Terminator Genisys directed by Alan Taylor, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emila Clarke, and Jai Courtney.

Absolutely, totally pointless addition to the Terminator series.  I'm not even going to go into how much of a mess this film is because I've got this feeling I could write about it for a long time.  Why is it easier to write about bad films than good films?  Well I'm not going to fall into that trap here.   

Shadows of Self

Shadows of Self written by Brandon Sanderson.

What can I say but a very welcome return to the Mist Born world in a new trilogy.  I didn't realize I was looking forward to this return until I read the book and then understood I had been wanting more of this part of Sanderson's world and I just didn't notice it.  With this book Sanderson continues to establish himself as one of the best writers out there as he seems to weave through all sorts of genres: fantasy, western, steampunk, and buddy cop story with an ease that is simply mind boggling.

He continues the story with the characters originally established in Alloy of Law and further fleshes out the two main characters Wax and Wayne (who is easily one of my favorite characters in all literature - he is a joy to read on paper as his perspective on life is unlike any other character I've ever read).  I really liked the way he explored the character of Steris, letting her explode on the page more than she had in first book.  This was one of favorite parts in the book.

Sanderson continues to be a one of best writers at exploring worlds and not settling for recycling previous story lines and he is not afraid to give answers to questions.  That is a hard thing to come by into today's world of world building where most people seem to only want to hold the cards to everything close their chest and never reveal anything.  Sanderson is very opposite of most writers today in that regard as he also writes what I would call "Comfort Fantasy" not concerned with dark themed, realistic ideas but with only the sole idea being - lets just tell a good story with some good characters. 

Looking forward to the  next two books in the trilogy.

Ant-man

Ant-man directed by Peyton Reed, starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Pena.

Marvel pulls off yet another winner. 

One thing I've noticed about Marvel movies over the years is that they might get cliched in the story line department but they always remain focused on character.  It's this focus on character that makes their movies work in wonderful and delightful ways no matter how far fetched or insane their stories get.  I never really care because their characters are always the focal point.  This movie is no different in that Paul Rudd is the main focus of this movie and they build his character with some nifty cliches but as always it is Rudd that helps to fully flesh out his character.  Perfect casting much the same way Evans brought Captain America to life , as did Downey, jr with Iron Man, Hemsworth with Thor, and the whole Guardians of the Galaxy cast did with that movie.  Their ability to cast movies is something to be amazed at even in little side roles they totally nail the perfect person for that role.  All the casting in this movie is no different.

Mix in some great set pieces and special effects that play around with a world to big for a small sized man and it makes for one entertaining and fun ride.  

Ex-Machina

Ex-Machina written and directed by Alex Garland, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander.

I've come to the conclusion over the years that if a movie's screenplay has the words "written by Alex Garland" - I will go see the movie and will most likely thoroughly enjoy it.  I will also admit Alex Garland is doing some of the best sci-fi movies ever - case in point 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Dredd, which are some of the best the genre has seen in a long time.  And now Ex-Machina can be added to that list of sci-fi movies that are more concerned with characters and ideas that being bogged down with special effects and action scenes.  His movies are some of the most entertaining and thought provoking movies I've seen in a long time, while being enjoyable, which is a combination I don't find all that much these days.  He just amazes me in that his movies are so focused and the characters seems to alive and real, its almost like I'm not watching a Hollywood movie at all.  I look forward to any movies by Alex Garland and so should you.

I don't want to say to much about the story line other than it involves identity, androids, and AI.  Besides the story line the three other things that make this movie highly watchable are the three performances of Domhnall, Isaac, and Vikander.  They really help to bring this world, these ideas, and these themes to life. 

I highly recommend this movie. Sit back, watch, and enjoy. 

Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace directed by Marc Forster, starring Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Judi Dench, and Mathieu Amalric.

I haven't seen this movie since I saw it when it came out in the theater.  I remember not liking it that much and not having very fond memories of it. Well I can say years have been very kind to this movie: it's completely underrated as is the Bond theme song song by Jack White and Alica Keys.  I can admit I was seriously wrong about this film when first saw and I think the main reason is that this is a not a normal Bond movie in that continues from the ending of the first movie.

This is basically a really good epilogue to Casino Royale as it ties up some loose ends to that movie and starts some new threads of its own.  In my opinion Craig does another superb job of creating a Bond who gets dirty and bloody as he continues to bring some serious much needed realism to the world of Bond. 

Darkness Take My Hand

Darkness Take My Hand written by Dennis LeHane.

It's been a while since I've stayed up reading late into the morning - this book had me doing that because I had to find out what happened.

The second book in the Kenzie and Gennaro series is by far better than the first book as it mixes a serial killer into the story that has ties to Kenzie and Gennaro's past.  Written with the same pacing and sharp writing skills as the previous story only this time LeHane dives deeper into the characters.  By doing that everything is all the better for it.  This book will make the other books harder to follow but I don't really care because this book was so well written and executed that it was a sheer pleasure to read.  Easily one of the best thriller, serial killer, detective stories I've read.

Highly recommended.  

Patriot Games

Patriot Games directed by Phillip Noyce, starring Harrison Ford, Sean Bean, James Earl Jones, Patrick Bergin, Anna Archer, Thora Birch, Polly Walker, Richard Harris, Samuel L. Jackson, and James Fox.

Not anywhere near as good as The Hunt for Red October but a serviceable action movie with Harrison Ford playing the every man to good effect. 

Personally I think this movie is only as good as it is because of the acting.  I found the story line kind of boring and in no way near the perfection of The Hunt for Red October.  The only thing that could have made this movie better than the typical story line would have to been to beef up Jack Ryan's character but instead I was left with a typical action movie that in many ways turns out not to be an action movie because there's not much action.  And the non-action scenes don't really feel compelling or tense.  There just needed to be more meat on this stick for it to be better.  Even the Lethal Weapon movies could have a weak story line but the two main characters made up for that weakness with their interesting personalities - not so much here.  I think this movie has not dated well but worth at least one watch.

Blackhat

Blackhat directed by Michael Mann, starring Chris Hemsworth, Leehom Wang, Viola Davie, Wei Tang, and John Ortiz.

This movie was not as bad as all the reviews I read about but that being said this is not Michael Mann's best film even though I did find it very entertaining and I would consider it his first made popcorn movie.   Even a bad film by Michael Mann is immensely better than most good films by typical directors.  Like always his actions scenes sparkle with a fury and direction not found by many "action" film makers because unlike those "action" film makers I can actual tell what is going on in Mann's action scenes and am in no way confused as to what is happening.  Some of the things that happen in this movie are wildly crazy and unbelievable but at least Mann sticks with the internal logic of the movie and doesn't shift from that unlike most action/popcorn movies that deviate so much movie's logic that is becomes distracting. 

Jurassic World

Jurassic World directed by Colin Trevorrow, starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, and Omar Sy.

In all honesty I really liked this movie and I've got to admit - Chris Pratt is the main reason this movie was good.  If he hadn't been in it I don't think it would have been as good as it turned out.  His charisma and presence was that good.  That being said this movie was way better than Lost World and Jurassic Park 3 in leaps and bounds.  I don't expect much out of popcorn movies these days other than just don't pander to me, don't be pretentious, and above all just don't be completely stupid when it comes to plot because you are a popcorn movie (Michael Bay - I'm speaking to you).  All around I thought characters were well more defined than in the first movie, which for me was just basically a remake of Jaws with dinosaurs only with poorer characters.  The characters in this movie (minus Bryce Dallas Howard's character) seemed a lot more interesting than before. 

Trevorrow did more than a decent job of directing, not as good as the first movie which was completely saved by Spielberg's direction.  I liked the self nods to the first movie throughout it brought me home to a movie that I can honestly say helped to shape my fascinations with movies (I saw Jurassic Park 5 times in the theaters when it came out). 

This movie is well worth a watch.

The Hunt for Red October

The Hunt for Red October directed by John McTiernan, starring Alec Baldwin, Sean Connery, Scot Glenn, Sam Neil, James Earl Jones, Tim Curry, Stellan Skarsgard, and Fred Thompson.

I hadn't see seen this movie in about fifteen years and I've got to say it holds up very well.  Tight screenplay and story that doesn't pamper to the audience as it forces thinking, is wholly believable and completely interesting.  One of the best thriller/actions movies to come out in it's style of genre.  This movie shouldn't work because the bulk of the action is set on submarines,which does not lend to the thriller/action genre well but the story and characters make it all a wonderful experience.

I like how the story builds the Russian character through they eyes of Jack Ryan as he analyzes all the information around him to figure out what is going on.  It's such a fun movie with some top notch acting that compliments the direction, production, story line, and some razor sharp pacing that never lets up.

Cinderella

Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring Kate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden, Helen Bonham Carter, Ben Chaplin, Hayley Atwell, and Derek Jacobi.

Not much to say about these new Disney films as they bring live action to their animated classic cartoons.  Same story line as the previous cartoon only now its all done with live action.  This movie looks good and will most likely appeal the audience Disney is aiming for.  I still think these movies are doing two things:

1 - They are letting Disney be lazy in just making new movies from old movie ideas all to make more money, which I can't blame them if they end up making money off of it because technically it's all free money to them.  That being said I just wish Disney would come out say that's why their doing these movie because then I would have more respect for them if the did.  I can understand the concept of making money versus the tired Hollywood excuses: of wanting to bring this story to a wider audience than before,wanting to explore other avenues of the story, or wanting to see how it would play out in live action versus animation.  Translation, we want more money.  At least that is a mentality that anyone can get behind.

2 - These are movies that are going to let actors and actresses play around with acting against type or being a Disney fairy tale with more than just their voice.

I personally thought this movie was rather forgettable but even after saying this it was visually stunning with Branagh doing his good job of directing and it does make for a good family time spent with kids - especially if they are girls.

ESPN: Those Guys have all the Fun

ESPN: Those Guys have all the Fun compiled by James Andrew Miller and Tom Sales.

Genre: Non-fiction

This book shouldn't have been anywhere as good as it turned out.  It's a story of the sports network ESPN and how it started up and until the present.  It's over 700 pages long and I found it completely compelling as it weaved a story through only interviews of ESPN's initial birth from an idea in a car with a father and son, to the getting the money for the idea to take shape, and then everything that follows from that idea. 

It's that interview format that I think really makes this story click.  They interview a lot of people, from behind the scenes (people I didn't know about it) to just about every reporter ever to work for them.  The interviews are candid and honest - this is a warts and all type of book and all the better for it. 

Highly recommended.

A Drink Before the War

A Drink Before the War written by Dennis LeHane.

Genre: Detective

I've never read Dennis LeHane until this book.  I had read a lot about him, him stories, his writing style.  I had been introduced to him from the movie Gone, Baby, Gone and a little know movie called The Drop, both extremely good movies.  I will say this from those two movies I had really wanted to read some of his books because those two movies had some great characters, great stories, combined with a setting that felt real.  This book is no different as the two main characters (
Patrick Kenzi and Angie Gennaro) dominate the PI story that enfolds in first person narration from Patrick Kenzi.  It isn't a bad thing about these characters being so well written and complex that they ultimately over shadow the story line because as the book goes on I wanted to know more about these characters, their conversations (even if it wasn't about the over all story), their interactions (even if it didn't involve the main story), and their personality was genuine, funny, and felt real.  They felt like people I could hang out with.  They had real interests outside of what was happening within the story.

Then add to that LeHane's writing style which can be read fast (I finished two of his books in about 4 days) but never feels like he wrote it fast.  His description of things has the hard boiled PI story down pat and is handled with some vivid poetic style that isn't over written but feels in place with the narrator.  His pacing of the story is good.  It picks up when it needs to and it slows down when
the slow, boring times of doing PI work hit but its in these times that the main characters get to shine as they make those down times fun.  I look forward to reading more of his works.  These two books have me hooked. 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid written by Jeff Kinney.

My son started reading this series so I figured I would give it a go and see how it started out with this book.  Kinney has really tapped into what makes a kid, a kid with some heart felt and honest writing that matches the illustrations perfectly.  I like how the humor of the story isn't about one liners or just flat out jokes.  It's about characters and how their decisions shape what happens around them - in this sense the humor has a Seinfeldian quality in a childhood setting.  

Minions

Minions directors Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin, with the voices of Sandra Bullock, John Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, Geoffrey Rush, Jennifer Saunders, and Steve Carell.

Not much to say about this film other than that it was highly entertaining but also very forgettable.  I did like how it explored the world of the Minions from their past to their present.  All of that I thought was handled with some wit and humor.  That being said I did find the humans around them more interesting than the actually minions themselves and when the humans weren't on screen with the minions I found the story and what was happening lacking with depth.

Inside Out

Inside Out directed by Pete Docter, with the voices of Amy Poehler, Phylis Smith, Bill Harder, Richard Kind, Lewis Black, Frank Oz, Mindy Kaling, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan.

 Easily one of Pixar's best films.  The sheer depth of this movie was astounding.  The story line is simplistic but all the characters are written with such complexity and honesty that the story line becomes more than simplistic as the movie progresses forward.  The idea itself it completely out there: giving emotions a persona - this shouldn't work but Pixar pulls it off and builds a movie unlike any I have seen before.  Proving, what my brother and I having been saying for a long time, if you make good characters no matter how insane or crazy an idea or movie becomes - the characters will easily move the story line forward and the audience will respond to the characters not the utter chaotic idea or what happens with in the movie.  Characters or lack of characters will either make or break a story.    

Down to the visual elements (which are astounding) and production design of a person's mind (which are simply put breath taking) everything about this movie elevates it beyond just a movie.  It's a story about going up.  Going from a simple mindset of emotions from childhood into the teenage years of complex emotions is handled with such intelligence and humor but yet in an honest way.  Everything about this movie is believable even what goes on inside a person's head but what goes on outside the head only adds to what happens inside a person's head.  From how the emotional characters interact and evolve as the child moves through the tangled web of growing up.  It all feels so real.

Just when I was thinking Pixar was starting to loose it way with it's last few movies Inside Out proves once again they aren't in any way slowing down. 

Jupiter Ascending

Jupiter Ascending written and directed by the Wachowski siblings (formerly brothers),  starring Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Sean Bean, and Eddie Redmayne.

I've got to admit I haven't liked any of the Wachowski films since the horrendous Matrix Revolutions.  They seem to have kind of bought into their own hype and pretentiousness,  instead of just making good movies.  They went the George Lucas and M. Night Shyamalan route - they got caught up in either technology or technique that they forgot about story lines and characters, which is what helped to get them to the heights of their careers.

All of that being said I found this movie highly enjoyable despite the glaring flaws in about every aspect of the film.  It was just a fun movie that didn't get bogged down in philosophical or metaphysical ideas (something most of their films after The Matrix seem to be abound in) but instead reveled in the weirdness and oddity that is this movie.  It is all the better for it.  As directors these two still have a good visual eye giving this movie all kinds of eye candy with action scenes that pop with vigor but yet doesn't seem confused.  The characters here are still rather bland and cliche but at least the siblings seem to be actually trying to make some characters instead of just card board cut out people spouting meaningless, idle mumbo jumbo.

It's just a fun movie to turn your brain off and have a good time.

No Easy Day

No Easy Day written by Mark Owen.

Been really getting into learning about the SEALs lately.  This book is just another open door into their world.  Proving once again what a special elite fighting force these guys are.  This one ultimately focuses on the Osama Bin Laden raid.  That mission takes up about the last half of this book and is some great insight into everything that goes into preparing for, executing, and completing a mission.  The first half of the book is in building the main character and showing some things that goes into making a SEAL, a SEAL from BUDS down to selecting SEALs for SEAL Team Six, which is essentially selecting the best of the best of the best.

This is some good reading giving a much deep respect for the men defending our right for freedom.  I highly recommend this book.

Paddington

Paddington written and directed by Paul King, starring Tim Downe, Madeleine Worrall, Nicole Kidman, with the voices of Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, and Ben Whishaw.

All in all it was a very good family movie.  Very British and not in an biased, exploiting kind of way but in a way that shares British culture. One of the better family movies to come out of Hollywood without being politically preachy: it focuses on the theme of family.  

Dirk Gently

Dirk Gently - TV show.

I would call this the red headed step child of Sherlock Holmes.  It's in the same type of humor as Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, mainly because Douglas Adams is the author of both.  His brand of sly, sarcastic, and flat out strange humor are woven throughout these three stories of which each are 90 minutes long - just long the Sherlock Holmes TV shows.  All of the stories are equally bizarre and wacky but fit in with the world created with this show.  All the actors fully step up to the plate and deliver on bringing these characters to life as only British actors can do as they prove once again just how versatile and flat out awesome they are at the craft of acting. 

All in all it was a good time of watching something a little strange and slightly off from what other shows are doing.  A real breath of fresh air from all the "normal" criminal, CSI shows out there right now. 







 

American Sniper (book)

American Sniper written by Chris Kyle.

After watching movie I had to get out and get the book and read it.  His life haunted my mind after the seeing the movie and did the same after I read the book.

A good biographer that fully captures Kyle's personality and it written in a conversational type of way that makes reading it easy.  It also captures a perfect glimpse behind the closed doors of being a SEAL and how that job affects a person both positively and negatively.  Kyle didn't shy away from showing how it affected it at home and in the field.  It is a warts and all type of book.  I don't read a lot biographies but this one was one of the best ones I've read.  I also liked the few places where his wife interjected  her thoughts into what was going on.  My one critique of this book is that I wish it had had more of her voice throughout because it gave a good balance to this thoughts.

American Sniper

American Sniper directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Bradley Cooper and Siena Miller.

I've been trying to summon up my experience watching this movie.  It's not the best war movie I've ever seen but it is one of the better war films I've seen in a long time.  I remember sitting on the couch when the final frame had ended and just watching most of the credits roll by, as I contemplated on what I'd just seen.  This isn't so much a war movie as a movie about the effects of war on a person and on a family - that is the real message of this movie, along with giving a glimpse into the life of Chris Kyle. I've since gone out and read his autobiography and another book about SEAL Team Six that killed Bin Laden.  Make no mistake this movie is just a glimpse but it is a great glimpse of a man who really loved his country, loved his job, and loved his family.  There are many added scenes or added characters in this movie for the sake of it being in done in Hollywood but none of them take away from the message of the movie or from Chris Kyle's life. 

Bradley Cooper is completely transformed physically into Chris Kyle and it's some of the best acting of his career. His presence is dominating in his movie from a physical and emotional standpoint.  He breathes life into Chris Kyle as many scenes he has to sell the internal struggle of the character with nothing but his facial expressions - no voice over narration helping him at all.  At times it is like a silent movie in this regard and Cooper rises to challenge in remarkable ways.

Eastwood does what he always does when he gets behind a camera - directs with an maturity not found in to many directors now-a-days. For a man his age he still continues to make some really good movies and stages these action scene with such great communication.  There was never any doubt or confusion from me as to what was going on in those scenes - old school directing will always be better than then new style of hand-held direction.

The only real criticism I'll give at this film is that I wish they had included 2 - 3 more scenes of dialogue with him and his wife.  This would have strengthened their relationship more, thus reinforcing his comments of love for her and wanting to get back home. It would also strengthened her as a character to where she didn't as many crying or shocked looking scenes.  I think this would have made the movie even better and more powerful.  Seeing her as more than just a standard female character and their relationship as real would have really help to sell the war scenes and heartache she goes through on those the phone conversations between him and her.

After reading his autobiography I personally think a TV show based on his four tours would be a gripping watch. 

Good movie that deserved all the praise it got but didn't deserve any of the harsh political comments tossed its way.  

Mr. Turner

Mr. Turner directed by Mike Leigh, starring Timothy Spall, Paul Jesson, and Dorothy Atkinson.

Mike Leigh is one of the better directors out there right now.  His movies span all sorts of topics as he never directs the same movie twice.  He is also not what one would call a typical commercial director.  His subjects and topics do not have mass appeal but for some reason he keeps getting financed for more movies - this is not a bad thing at all because his movies are always interesting and beautiful to watch.  Here he tackles the last decade or so of the life of the British painter Mr. Turner who was known for capturing the effects of sun light and light in his paintings.   

Mr. Turner is by far his most visually stunning movie to watch.  The movie itself is shot in a style that seems to mimic the paintings of Mr. Turner by doing this Leigh lets the viewer get inside the mind of Mr. Tuner as each frame of the film isn't just about the life of Mr. Turner but a window into his creative process.  It works remarkably well.  Timothy Spall is memorizing as Mr. Turner as the story doesn't shy away from a warts and all type of story telling as Turner walks the line of genius,  eccentric, and slightly insane all at the same time.  By doing this his character becomes completely fascinating.  Even though this movie spans a couple of decades I was never in a loss as to the time jumps or what was happening on screen, which means Leigh's ability of communication between director, viewer, and story line was being handled with effectiveness.  It was clear he had a good grasp on the story and characters.  He wasn't afraid to let his characters be who they are within the story. They never changed their personality on a situation.  They remained true to who they were.  There's not a lot movies, directors, or writers that aren't that confident in their story and characters to let them be who they are.  More people seem swayed by public opinion, Hollywood, and money to worry about stuff like that - gladly Mike Leigh is not one of those directors and it's one of the reasons his movies will continue to be fascinating and intriguing.

Here's to more Mike Leigh movies.

The Theory of Everything

The Theory of Everything directed by James Marsh, starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, David Thewlis, and Emily Watson.

One of the better biographical movies I've seen that doesn't just take a certain time period of a person's life and present it.  This film spans decades from when Stephen Hawking is diagnosed with his disease up until present day or there about.  Most movies I've seen that attempt this sort of time jump lose focus on character and end up telling all kinds of stories revolving around the main character instead of focusing on the main character.  Normally they end up a jumbled mess.  This film never looses the focus of the movie, namely between the relationship of Jane and Stephen Hawking.  They are the center of this story.  Their relationship forms the foundation this movie is about and this movie is all the better for it.  One thing truly rises above everything going on this movie - that is the courage and fortitude of Jane as Stephen was originally only given 2 years to live.  They still got married and he lived well beyond 2 years.  Stephen is the focus of the movie as his disease and persona do fill up everything but it is Jane arises as the hero. One of the best ways this film does this is by showing the trials she has to overcome to be married to Stephen.  The film doesn't beat this into the viewer but just shows the viewer how this disease has impacted not just Stephen's life but Jane's as well.  It's one of the few films I've seen where they didn't rely on narration to explain things but just let the images speak for themselves.

All in all it was a good movie from the direction, acting, and storyline.

Mouse Guard: Fall and Winter

Mouse Guard written and illustrated by David Petersen.

This was just a flat out beautifully drawn and executed story.  Some great world building and story development.  There are moments of Tolkien woven into this story that don't feel stolen but completely borrowed.  Good characters with plenty of room to breath and grow.  The world Petersen creates feels fresh and new with shades of Redwall but more like Redwall on a visual front without only words.  

Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler written and directed by Dan Gilroy, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Bill Paxon, Riz Ahmed and Rene Russo.

This movie completely took me be surprise by how good it was.  I don't find to many movies that seem to want to have a comment about our news media as this film does.  It does a great job of infiltrating this world and showing an interesting side of new broadcasting:they buying of self shot vidoes.  Everyone did a great job of making this movie good: spot on direction, production, screenplay, and acting.

Gyllenhaal has had sort of a revival in his movie career over the last year or so with the movies Prisoners, Enemy, End of Watch, and this movie.  I mean each of those movies have been some of the better films I've seen with each character being different.  There's not a lot repetition happening in there and Gyllenhaal has stepped up to the plate and done some really good acting.  His character in this movie is basically an unlikable, dishonest, and selfish character but yet Gyllenhaal and the writers do make him somewhat sympathetic.  I'm not saying he's always sympathetic but I always knew what his motivation was throughout even when he ended up doing something I might not have liked.  I understood why he was doing it.  They also made him a completely interesting character as he started navigating the media/news empire he gets involved with.

All in all go out and watch this film.  





  

Kick-Ass (comic)

Kick-Ass written by Mark Millar, illustrated by John Romita Jr.

This comic ended up being much better than the movie.  I still don't Millar is a great writer because he never lets his ideas fully evolve but seems to be stuck in the superhero mentality of writing where development is a four letter word.  It's funny comparing this comic to Watchmen.  Where as Moore was way more subtle in his critique of superheros, Millar is more like a sledge hammer to the face.  One thing I really did like about this book better than the movie was that I didn't ever feel Millar was wanting me to feel bad for the main character.  Where as the movie I always thought they wanted me to feel bad for the main character and I never did because his choices and actions were getting him beat up and into the violent situations he got into.

The same with the movie as here: Hit Girl steals the entire story.  Her character is just way better written, explored, and interesting.

Personally I think John Romita Jr, stole the entire series with his art work.

The Imitation Game

The Imitation Game directed by Morton Tyldum, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly, Matthew Goode, and Mark Strong.

This movie was held together by the performance of Cumberbatch (and I still think Matthew Goode is one of the more underrated actors acting right now, his performance is still as magnetic and good as every film I've seen him in).  It's weird because Cumberbatch is basically playing Sherlock Holmes without the same kind confidence and arrogance but yet it comes across as being completely a different performance.  This guy is on a completely different level of acting than mostly everyone else in the world.  His scenes with Knightly only prove what a one note kind of actress she is and dove tail into my dislike of her - as an actress.

This movie does have one problem as most biographical movies do - there isn't a lot of tension as to what is going on because we already know how it ends.  Therefore the relationships and characters of the movie need to be built up and strengthened to make the story line flow.  Sadly I don't think either of those two items were addressed that well in this movie.  But the story of Turnning's machine and solving the Nazis code did end up being entertaining. 

The Babadook

The Babadook written and directed by Jennifer Kent, starring Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman.

Honestly I thought this movie was rather boring considering all they hype I read about it.  I think I just expected a little more than what was delivered.  This movie is proof of why I don't watch many horror movies because they all are basically they same kind of movie with little or no deviation from the chains or cliches that are stable with horror movies.

That being said there were some good visual scenes in this movie and enough of a background of the main characters as to make a good connection with what was happening.  But ultimately I thought it just stuck too much to the standard confines of the genre.