will byers stan first human second
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cherry valley forever
oozey mess
KIROKAZE
Andulka
Mike Driver
trying on a metaphor
Kaledo Art
❣ Chile in a Photography ❣
Game of Thrones Daily
★
Misplaced Lens Cap
Love Begins
dirt enthusiast
Acquired Stardust
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Cosmic Funnies
Sweet Seals For You, Always
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@geekmentality
Jump Start The Blog
It's been way, way, way too long since I've posted anything. Over two months. I was doing great there for a while. June had me writing 30 posts for the 30 movies I watched in 30 days. Since then I was doing...okay.
But I'm still alive and not happy with how I left things. I got rid of the custom template, went to something super basic, and plan on getting back into the swing of things.
So stay tuned.
Scars: A Papa Roach Cover
Oh and that picture is showing my awesome arm scar. Broke my elbow in 1989 playing street hockey. I have a very similar one on the other side of the arm. It was nasty - no bones popping out just a a big surgery and a long recover, but I got a bunch of Iron Maiden tapes as "get well" gifts so...silver lining.
Guardians of the Galaxy Was Friggin' Awesome!
However, they worked around those hurdles - by making a great movie.
This movie had it all. Action. Humor. Heart. I smiled a lot, and when i wasn't smiling I was laughing. And when I wasn't doing that, I may have teared up ever so slightly...because of a CGI raccoon.
So what, I have feelings!
I had a feeling I was going to like this movie because of one thing.
Chris Pratt.
If you are familiar with Parks and Recreation (and if you're not, what the hell is wrong with you?) then you know exactly what I am talking about.
For years Chris Pratt has played Andy Dwyer on the NBC Sitcom. He's the lovable buffoon with a heart of gold - and he's hilarious in it. And I think after seeing this movie, he may be on his way to super-stardom. He pulled off the lovable/cocky heroic-criminal...with a heart f gold.
Besides Pratt, I thought the rest of the cast was perfect. Zoe Saldana is beautiful whether she's herself, a blue CGI alien, or in this case - a green alien who can kick some ass. The two voice contributors, Bradley Cooper and Vin Deisel, were perfect too. Cooper stole every scene his Rocket Raccoon was in, and Deisel's Groot - well, he did the same thing.
He is Groot.
The last of the Guardian actors may or may not be known to you. Drax the Destroyer was played Dave Bautista...also known as WWE wrestler "Batista" (yup, without the "u").
I am a big time WWE fan, but I wasn't watching a few years back when he was full-time. He just came back this year to win the Royal Rumble and then be part of the Main Event of Wrestlemania XXX.
I am sure he came back as his way of promoting this movie. He wasn't met with the response they were hoping for, as he was brought out to be a good guy. Fan's didn't quite accept it because they wanted another guy to be "the guy" so very quickly they made Batista a bad guy...See, I told you I'm a big WWE guy.
After a few months he left again - probably for the promotional tour of this movie...Any whatever promotion he did for it definitely paid as the weekend estimates (from box office mojo) have it earning $94,000,000 in the States and a total of $160,400,000 world wide.
Yeah, remember that "gamble" I thought Marvel/Disney was taking with this movie? It's safe to say they won.
This movie was fresh and new - and out there, as far as being a giant sweeping space epic - but it kept us all grounded with the humor, the character interaction, and the music!
I can't say enough good James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy. I suggest that if you like movies like this - even a little - that you go see it. Now. I'll wait...
Still here? Okay, well after you finish this - then go see it!
Sharknado 2 : What a Terribly Delightful Movie!
Three nights ago I sat down in front of my TV to watch a made for television movie. No, that is actually a lie. I actually went out - made plans and went out - to my friends house - for the specific reason of watching this made for television movie together. That was Wednesday night.
Could She Be The Reason I Stop Watching Under the Dome?
Ultimately, probably not.
I'm a glutton for punishment, which is why I am finished True Blood to the end, and will probably watch the Heroes resurrection until it re-dies.
When I start things, I usually (uuuusually) see them through to the end. Except Glee. I'm so glad I left Glee on the doorsteps of a local orhanage as somebody else's problem.
This season of Under the Dome started off fairly promising. I enjoyed the dome being magnetized, and I was surprised when they killed off a couple major characters. And it seems like they killed them off to make room for new characters. One of these characters is mysterious in the way she appeared and who she is. One of these characters conveniently lived out in the woods and seemingly never came to town or interacted with anybody in anyway since the dome came down.
And one of these characters is high school science teacher Rebecca Pine.
I find her very annoying.
Not the actress per say, but how she is fitting into the story line. I've never read the book, but from what I can tell in the Wikipedia page for the book, she is a new character completely made up for the television show.
She's a teacher that nobody ever mentioned and again never was a part of the first season. I get it. I know television shows have to add characters over time, but I think what I really dislike about her as a new character is that...remember, spoilers...
After a couple of weeks she's already talking about thinning the heard.
Killing people to make sure there's enough supplies for the rest of them.
After a couple of weeks. This person isn't a whack job. She isn't a military person or an officer of the law overstepping her call of duty.
She's a frigging Science teacher who came out of nowhere and is now a major part of the story and wants to kill some old people.
I think that's kind've a lame story line that seems way to unrealistic even in this fantasy world. If I were Big Jim, and a god damn teacher came up to me and told me her idea of killing off the old/weak, I'd be flipping out and put her behind bars as soon as possible.
But this isn't real life. It's television. And it's happening again tonight.
I did have the brief thought of "what am I doing watching this?" and I'm probably going to be annoyed by her on a continual basis. Oh I won't be watching it tonight, but eventually I'll get to episode 4 of this season sometime during the week.
I just hope something happens that makes me feel better about watching it. Because right it's just a.....meh.......
Are you out there? Do you watch? Agree? Disagree?
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
This past Saturday night, there was a crowd as I went with some friends to go see Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. I am so glad that I finally saw Rise just a couple weeks ago as part of my first annual Geek Mentality Movie Month. I joked that I probably wouldn't see this movie until next year's movie month - but alas I was wrong.
And I am so glad that I was.
This was a really cool movie. The fact that they can get you to believe that the CGI character you are looking at is actually there on the screen is nothing short of amazing.
The animators and performers in this movie got you to feel - to really feel - for the apes. Hell, even more than the humans.
While the humans were an integral part of the movie, you really were focused on the apes. The last movie ended where you could think - okay this leads right into the original movie. But this movie shows you that it wasn't an instant annihilation of the human race. It takes time to get where we are to where we all know we are going.
At least one more movie's worth.
But really, the apes are just barely speaking. In the future, they're perfectly evolved - so we're talking hundreds or thousands of years passing.
So when my friend asked if Cesear's son was one of the apes in the original movie - no. I shook my geeky head....No....
What can I say - great movie - great effects. GREAT performances, mainly by Andy Serkis.
Just really happy with it and look forward to the next one...I assume...
"______ of the Planet of the Apes."
Evolution?
Genesis?
Ooh, I like that. You heard it here first.
"Genesis of the Planet of the Apes"
Way too long, but you never know...
Do You Love Me?: A KISS Cover
Me attempting "Do You Love Me?" by KISS. Did it using Garageband. The Drums are just a loop. The guitars, bass, and vocals are me.
House of Cards : Season 2
Kevin Spacey is amazing. This show is amazing.
I know what you're thinking. Now? This second season of House of Cards was released in February - and you're blogging about it now.
It's funny how that works out. I actually did the same thing with this show's first season. Watched a couple early on and then finished it last July. And here I am again. I am not sure why this happens, but I think it may have to do with the model of how the show is available.
Notice I didn't say that the second season "premiered" in February. I said it was "released" - the entire season - on one day. That is what makes Netflix so unique. They're putting out these well produced shows and just giving the entire thing to their audience at once.
It is a great thing for the audience, but let's say you watch the entire season in one weekend. Then what? Then you have to wait another year for new House of Cards. Shows like House of Cards or Orange is the New Black (both Netflix shows) get amazing buzz around the time of their release...Then, it's kinda quiet. That's the one drawback - for Netflix - about giving the audience everything at once.
Breaking Bad fans - or Game of Thrones fans - we'd watch one episode a week. Talk about it for days. Then get ready for the next episode. The experience and the discussion goes on for months.
House of Cards? The discussion is a bit more fragmented because some people watch it all at once, some people space it out, and some people wait way too long and THEN watch it all at once....That was me.
But you know what - it doesn't really matter. Netflix has the subscriber already. You're paying your monthly fee because you want these shows right away. Netflix is actually putting the customer first instead of putting their own need for long term buzz first.
Oh yeah, wasn't this post about the show itself?
Right, right...Where was I. Oh right - Kevin Spacey is amazing.
I know the writing is there - the writing is amazing - but his performance is what totally sells this show. Really, all the performances are, but he steals the show at every moment.
Here we are again with another lead character that you're not sure if you are supposed to hate him or love him...Then they make it pretty clear you are supposed to hate him.
But you love him anyway. You're rooting for a bad man - at least I was, but then I found that I wasn't. I was going back and forth with my opinions of him. Knowing I should despise him, but loving watching him be so bad.
And with just one turn - one look into the camera, he can make you feel. Can make you smile. Can make you shake you're head. It's truly a remarkable job of acting.
I love Breaking Bad and I love Bryan Cranston. I have a feeling that he may walk away with the Emmy for his final turn as Walter White. But if he doesn't - there is no doubt in my mind it should go to Frank Underwood himself, Kevin Spacey.
The show this year showed me one thing - The Underwoods are all about power and manipulation. There was one scene...One moment...Late in the season. I texted my cousin and asked him "Did I just see what I thought I saw?"
"Yup"
It was weird. It felt out of place at first. But the more I think about it. The more I realized it was all about the power. The Underwoods can do or take whatever they want, whenever they want it, even if it's just for the sake of saying they did.
And they did.
This season saw some new faces come in, some old faces go...Some will be missed. Others, not as much.
And who knew that Gerald McRaney could be so awesome?
It's just a splendid spectacle of acting and writing. Drama and suspense. Each episode looks like a movie.
Netflix really has outdone itself with its original programs - and the Emmy Awards have taken notice.
I look forward to next February when I can watch one or two episodes, and then wait 5 months to watch the rest and blog about it...
Iron Maiden: An Iron Maiden Cover
Me attempting the song "Iron Maiden" from the album "Iron Maiden" by the band "Iron Maiden"
I Can't Believe It. Community Will Return! #SixSeasonsAndAMovie
"We'll definitely be back next year"
It's the news that millions of Community fans have been waiting to hear, but were starting to fear they weren't going to....
Community is coming back for a sixth season.
There was a time when, if a show was canceled by a network, the only hope of that show returning would be if one of the few other networks were to pick it up. Back in the 90s, to Friday night staples of family television were canceled by ABC - Family Matters and Step by Step. CBS came in and made a deal to bring both show over to their Friday nights, where they both lasted on more season.
At that time, that was the only way you'd see a favorite show, canceled too soon, come back.
Oh sure, there is the chance of a movie for TV shows, but Fireflys/Serenitys don't come along every day.
Today, the world of "television" is so much different. There are basic cables channels and premium cable channels making both drams and comedies that the major networks could only dream of.
The major networks pull in numbers that most cable channels dream of, but the fact that they can do more, even though they reach less people, can often make for a much more satisfying television show.
And more recently - the Internet. Four years ago if somebody told you they were on a show that was only available on "The Internet" you're eyebrow would probably raise. Mine would.
But that is no longer. Places like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu are not only delivering us shows we know and love to both our televisions and mobile devices - but they're also producing their own content, with Netflix leading the way in quality (in my opinion.)
And of these big three...All of them passed on a sixth season of Community. Honestly, I don't know if discussions were broached with any of them, but when a cult favorite of a show goes away, after Netflix brought back Arrested Development last year, this is where I look to see if there is hope.
And it was starting to look like there was no hope.
Until yesterday.
From Yahoo! of all places.
Yahoo! Screen to be more specific. Yesterday, they announced that they were bringing Community back from the dead for a 13-episode sixth season - the deal being struck on the last day the cast would have been released from their contracts at midnight.
This means that in fact "Six Seasons and a Movie" is still an attainable goal.
It's just a day to smile. The world is a happier place.
Abed was right when he said it....
""We'll definitely be back next year"
Pop Pop!
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter : #GMmoviemonth (30 of 30)
It's over. I can't believe it.
Geek Mentality Movie Month is over. This is one of the first blog projects that I set out to do and actually achieved...And now it's done.
And it ended with 2012's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. A great great great...book. The movie, was just all right.
I read the book when it came out four years ago. I actually blogged about the book when it came out four years ago. I thought the book was so well done. My father thought the idea was ridiculous, but he loved the book too.
That's just it. The book - the entire concept - is ridiculous, but the way the book was written, the way author Seth Grahame-Smith took the silly concept so seriously, made for such an enjoyable read.
I'm talking way too much about the book.
While I loved the book, I only somewhat enjoyed the movie. The write of the book actually did write the screenplay for the movie adaption, but in doing so he had to "movie" it up a bit - adding action and nemeses that weren't in the original first-person journal themed book.
I wasn't a huge fan of the overly-stylized fighting/action either. I am sure it looked nice on 3D, but seemed like too much for my liking.
However, there were still parts in the movie that made me smile, and I thought Benjamin Walker as the titular character, having never heard of him before, did a pretty good job. I just assumed he was British in real life. Not sure why I did. He isn't.
Overall, the movie wasn't everything I was hoping it would be when I first heard the book was being adapted, but I am glad that I finally saw it.
And, in seeing it - I officially close out the first ever Geek Mentality Movie Month.
The first - ANNUAL - Geek Mentality Movie Month.
I hope this does lead to me spending more time watching the movies I want to see - and more time blogging on my site more...
Well, more with the blogging - the movies, I can always catch next June, right?
I'm not sure how many - if any - people read these posts or came to the site. My wife knew I was doing this. My brother, and one of my cousins. Other than that I've just been going along watching dozens of hours of movies on my phone, laptop, iPad, TV - and in the theaters.
I did this mostly for me - just to see if I could stick to it. There were a few close moments as far as getting the posts up for the day, but I am proud to say I did it. 30 posts for 30 movies in 30 days.
And now it's done.....For now.
30 down. 30 done.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels : #GMmoviemonth (29 of 30)
I can't beleive it took my 16 years to finally see this movie.
Today's movie is the oldest movie on the list. The only movie that came out in the 90s - back when I was still in college.
Today's movie, number 29 - the second to last movie of the month - is Guy Ritchie's first feature film. 1998's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
I can't really say enough how much I loved this movie. And I'm so pissed at myself that I'm only getting to experience now. At this point in my life, I should be quoting this movie. Reciting the dialogue as I watch it for the "who knows how many" time.
But no. I'm finally telling you that this movie was great. Finally telling you how much fun and how funny this movie was.
And you already knew that.
The way the movie flowed. The performances from everybody. The direction. The music.
There was not one thing I didn't like about this movie.
It may have only been the first time I've seen it - but it will be the first of many.
Jason Statham's first film. I love me some Statham...
Statham.
And now, after watching this today, I have one movie left. One post left in the month. And then it's all done. For another year I'll probably see movies sparingly as I plow through television shows....But for one month this year - and every year to come - I get to see a much of awesome, great, fun movies...And X-men Origins: Wolverine....
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was going to be the last movie I rented on Amazon that was fully paid for from a $50 gift card I received. Well today, Amazon emailed me to let me know that they're refunding me for that rental because of poor video quality. So I once again have enough money to cover one more rental. Rental 30. For the last day.
And I have no idea what to watch yet....But I'm about to go decide.
I know one thing - it probably won't be as good as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
29 down. 1 to go.
Let the Right One In : #GMmoviemonth (28 of 30)
Everybody needs to read more, right?
Today I went more global for my movie choice, watching the critically acclaimed 2008 Swedish horror film Let the Right One In.
And even though I watched and finished this movie this morning, I am frantically typing this in the passenger side of my friend’s car and he as out wives head home from a fun night in Maine.
I’ve had this movie on my radar for years. When the American remake came out in 2010 I stayed away from it so I could see this original first - the way I had always intended.
And I have.
And it was great.
Okay, I'm home now....
There's something about subtitles in movies. They force me to pay more attention to what is going on. They didn't take away at all from any of the visuals or the acting. The girl who played Eli and the boy who played Oskar were both terrific.
The horror was indeed horrible without being overly graphic, and when we reach the final moments of the film, I'm torn by what I think is going to happen. This is a Swedish horror movie - so really the ending could be happy, sad, or just play horrific.
You'll have to see the movie yourself to know what happens. Is it too much of a spoiler alert that I did pump my fist?
I'm really glad that I remembered to watch this for the month, and glad that I didn't see the remake first. Now I will want to check it out to see how it compares.
Just not in the next two days.
Two days left. Today was a tough one. Not for watching the movie, I had time in the morning - but for getting this blog post done was a little harder. We had a birthday party to go to, then our friends invited us for a night out in Maine.
But I slipped out the phone on the ride home and got this one started. Tomorrow I'm cooking for my in-laws and am watching a WWE PPV at night - but I'll find a way to fit a movie in there. I have to.
I have only 2 more days to go!
Just 2 more. I can't believe it.
28 down. 2 to go.
The Campaign : #GMmoviemonth (27 of 30)
I spent a little too long on the photo for tonight's Geek mentality Movie Month film...Just going to post this one under the wire.
Tonight's movie was 2012's The Campaign starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis.
And it was funnier than I had expected.
This post is short and sweet because it's 11:58pm. Galifianakis was weird and funny. Ferrell was his usual self and funny.
Watch it - it's on HBO. Better than I thought it would be.
That is all.
27 down. 3 to go.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire : #GMmoviemonth (26 of 30)
The timing of this Geek Mentality Movie monthe really couldn't have been better. My cousin and just gotten married and, because of my participation in the ceremony, I received an Amazon gift card of $50. This was on May 31st.
One June 26th, I've rented my last movie through Amazon that will be completely covered by the gift card.
So thanks Kelly!
My last free rental, and today's movie, is 2013's The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - based on the 2009 "Catching Fire" book, the second in the Hunger Games series. I saw the first one in the theaters, I think on opening night. I read all the books and was looking forward to checking out the film version.
I thought it was good.
I think this was was very good.
Story wise, they're both written by the same author and in the same style, so I cannot say it's that the source material got better. I think the filmmakers were just better at the adaption this time around.
Really I think it was the pacing this time around. The movie is over 2 and a half hours long, but I never felt it lagging. In fact I felt like it got to things pretty quickly and moved along at a fairly rapid pace. I think the move from Gary Ross to Francis Lawrence as director is pretty evident in this regard. Lawrence is returning to direct the third book - which of course is the third and fourth movie - you can thank Harry Potter for that new trend.
This is my third Jennifer Lawrence movie this month and it may be my least favorite of the three - but that just shows that she makes good movies. Because I did like this one a lot.
The biggest shame of this was seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman. The character he played was very interesting. Seemingly ruthless without human regard, but so much more. Knowing what I knew from reading the book, it was interesting to watch his role unfoil. And now? I don't know how much or if any of the next two sequels he was able to film before his death. What a waste.
When it first came out and was advertised, I remember not having a lot of interest in it. I can't remember why. When I do build that time machine, I will go back and slap some sense into myself...Although if I do ever build a time machine, wouldn't I remember getting slapped in the face at this point? Dammit.
Anyway, I won't make that mistake again. This movie certainly acts as the perfect bridge from what was to what shall be, and it got me interested in seeing where it goes...Well, I know where it goes - so really it's more about how they get there.
With the Girl on Fire...
26 down. 4 to go.
22 Jump Street : #GMmoviemonth (25 of 30)
Hilarious.
Really, what else do I have to say?
Today's movie would've been better served 3 days ago, but oh well. For movie 25, we went back to Jump Street....for....wait for it.....22 Jump Street.
Only the second movie I've seen in the theaters for Geek Mentality Movie month - and both times I saw comedies over the big comic book movie.
That's okay, there's nothing better than seeing a comedy in the theaters and people are really laughing. This movie definitely delivered.
Comedy sequels can be tricky. You want the characters back that you love, doing familiar things, but then you can get bored/annoyed if they're just doing the same thing.
This movie basically took that and threw it right back in our face, but blatantly telling us that they were doing the same thing - because it made money - and the big bosses want more money, so they give you more money to do the same EXACT thing - and make them more money.
I guess that's called meta, right?
They played with all the conventional sequel tropes and did not hide the fact that they were doing it - and it was hilarious.
The two directors of this movie, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, also directed the first movie, and I think they did everything bigger and better.
And I didn't realize until tonight that they also directed another movie I wanted this month, that also featured the two stars of this film - in a way....
I've heard recently that people are tired of Jonah Hill, or that they don't get it. I don't get those idiots, because this guy is frigging hilarious and pretty much great in everything I've seen him in (including yet another movie from last week). He and co-star Channing Tatum - who I never think of for comedy, but really kills it in these movies - really work well together. You can tell they had a lot of fun making this movie.
And Ice Cube. Yup. Ice Cube. Hilarious.
Not much more I can say about this one, except I'm glad my brother asked me to go see this. There are a lot of cool little surprises, and if you want to laugh - see this movie. If you want to laugh with a bunch of people, go see it in the theater.
And don't leave right at the end.
25 down. 5 to go.
Son of Batman : #GMmoviemonth (24 of 30)
7 more days. 7 more movies. One final week and Geek Mentality Movie Month is in the books. Today's movie is the newly released direct-to-video Son of Batman, part of the DC Animated Feature universe. Warner Bros. puts out a few of these every year, though they mostly seem like stand alone movies.
Where Marvel is currently winning hands-down in the live-action feature film world, DC I think is winning both in the direct-to-video animated world and in the live action television world.
Okay, I think Marvel would rather be winning where they are winning, but the point is that WB and DC do a nice job with these movies.
They're nothing great. This was nothing great. But for less than 90 minutes it was enjoyable enough. I was familiar with all the characters from various comics I've read, though I don't think I've read what this was based on specifically (I'm assuming it was based on something specific).
That animation is - okay. I know they have a limited budget for these movies that are strictly for home media, so some of the cheapness I see on the screen is understandable and quite acceptable. It doesn't take you out of the movie, but you can tell the difference between this and a Disney 2D movie that was in the theaters.
While I was expecting that level of animation, what I wasn't expecting was that level of violence. They showed a lot of killing and a lot of blood. With a PG-13 rating, this definitely is not a movie for the young ones.
Luckily I'm only young at heart...and mind....Probably more mind, I am sure my heart is more like a 75 year old man's.
The basic story is...well...Batman has a son. He's been brought up in a different world than him, and he takes him under his - cowl - and tries to teach him his own methods of living life.
Oh and the kid kicks some serious ass.
If you like these animated movies and you like Batman - and who doesn't like Batman? - and have a little time to kill, I'd say you may want to give this a rent on iTunes or Amazon...I'm at the tail end of my Amazon gift card that's been fueling me. Once that runs out completely it may be whatever is on Netflix and HBO for the final days.
But not tomorrow - tomorrow night I should be off to the theaters.
Until then....
24 down. 6 to go.