Friday, August 31, 2012
My Little Pony Humorous Commentary Season 1 Episode 1
Saturday, July 7, 2012
As I'm sure some of you have noticed, I have been posting on this blog...well, I haven't in a long time. There is a good reason for that though, I have been spending a lot of time making parody/review/commentary videos so if anyone who is interested would like to check out my work, I would be happy to get your thoughts on my videos! Thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDTMg8zTJdw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDTMg8zTJdw
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
My review of Paranormal Activity 3
I never expected this to be as good as it turned out to be. Do I want them to make a 4th one now? NOPE! But for an end to the series (I don't see where else they could take it) you could do far worse. Far, far, worse.
Acting/characters: One of the best things about this series is how normal the people and the settings are. If you picked a random spot on a map of America you would probably be close to millions of people who are just like this. The fact that you relate to them makes you care a whole lot more about them than any normal horror films bother to do these days. I've met people like this, I'm related to people like this (not exactly obviously but you get my point). And if I had to guess, most of you out there are too. That's what makes this film so effective. These people aren't morons with bodies chiseled into perfection. These people are just...people. That also (I imagine) would make them much easier too perform as and I think it shows. Also, and this is rare, I didn't mind the kids at all in the film. They added to the film in that perfect way because now there is more at stake with the house being haunted by a demon. In most horror films, you figure nothing is going to happen to the kids because who would do that? Well, here you aren't too sure. and boy does that pay off in terms of scares. 9/10
Plot: It's pretty much the same plot as the first film but with kids and this one is a prequel: Guy in the house thinks supernatural stuff is happening so he sets up cameras. It's pretty much just that for 80 some-odd minutes while the titular paranormal activities get more and more threatening. I know that I thought that this one would be positively horrible because I couldn't see how it wouldn't be merely a re-hash of stuff that the first two did. Well, the filmmakers did their very best to distance the techniques of this one from the first two. Boy did they do a great job. I mean really, they did a great job. because of the basic plot, a ton of the suspense and quality of the film revolves around camera techniques. They did some genius stuff with the cameras. Like the film as a whole, the thing that made the camera work so genius was the fact that it was so simple. It didn't require major special effects or multimillion dollar cameras. it just required a few normal cameras. It was brilliant. 9.5/10
Screenplay: from what I understand with this film, as with the others, there is a basic script but there is always room for improv in the film. I think that this works to perfection because it makes the dialogue and delivery so much more natural which add so much to the whole "these are just normal people" aspects of the film. The dialogue was so fluid and it didn't feel like any of it was forced at all. if you didn't know better you wouldn't think that it was just actors on a screen you would think that it is what it seems to be, real people that are actually being haunted by a demon. That is hard to pull off these days and too few people actually manage to pull it off. 9/10
Likableness: This movie was genuinely scary. It takes a lot to actually scare me and this one totally did that. 95% of suspense is the waiting for something scary to pop out. You are left to your imagination as to what is going to happen and it scares you. But it is also important that the actual scare pays off. These scares definitely did that. when I went to see it with my mother (we love watching horror movies together) the audience was packed with teenagers around my age. You could tell that everyone in the audience was having a lot of fun because we would get the pants scared off of us but we would be laughing because we were all having such a good time being scared. if more horror movies could pull that off then the horror movie world would be a better place. Was the movie flawless? Nope. But my enjoyment of it was at the maximum. I give likableness 10/10
Final score: 37.5/40 93% (N)
Tomatometer rating: 71%
Tomatometer rating if my review was added: 71%
TRIVIA TIME: 1. Towards the beginning of the film, Julie takes a picture of young Kristi standing in the driveway shortly before a group picture is taken. The photo being taken appears in both Paranormal Activity and Paranormal Activity 2 as an indication that the demon has started haunting them.
Acting/characters: One of the best things about this series is how normal the people and the settings are. If you picked a random spot on a map of America you would probably be close to millions of people who are just like this. The fact that you relate to them makes you care a whole lot more about them than any normal horror films bother to do these days. I've met people like this, I'm related to people like this (not exactly obviously but you get my point). And if I had to guess, most of you out there are too. That's what makes this film so effective. These people aren't morons with bodies chiseled into perfection. These people are just...people. That also (I imagine) would make them much easier too perform as and I think it shows. Also, and this is rare, I didn't mind the kids at all in the film. They added to the film in that perfect way because now there is more at stake with the house being haunted by a demon. In most horror films, you figure nothing is going to happen to the kids because who would do that? Well, here you aren't too sure. and boy does that pay off in terms of scares. 9/10
Plot: It's pretty much the same plot as the first film but with kids and this one is a prequel: Guy in the house thinks supernatural stuff is happening so he sets up cameras. It's pretty much just that for 80 some-odd minutes while the titular paranormal activities get more and more threatening. I know that I thought that this one would be positively horrible because I couldn't see how it wouldn't be merely a re-hash of stuff that the first two did. Well, the filmmakers did their very best to distance the techniques of this one from the first two. Boy did they do a great job. I mean really, they did a great job. because of the basic plot, a ton of the suspense and quality of the film revolves around camera techniques. They did some genius stuff with the cameras. Like the film as a whole, the thing that made the camera work so genius was the fact that it was so simple. It didn't require major special effects or multimillion dollar cameras. it just required a few normal cameras. It was brilliant. 9.5/10
Screenplay: from what I understand with this film, as with the others, there is a basic script but there is always room for improv in the film. I think that this works to perfection because it makes the dialogue and delivery so much more natural which add so much to the whole "these are just normal people" aspects of the film. The dialogue was so fluid and it didn't feel like any of it was forced at all. if you didn't know better you wouldn't think that it was just actors on a screen you would think that it is what it seems to be, real people that are actually being haunted by a demon. That is hard to pull off these days and too few people actually manage to pull it off. 9/10
Likableness: This movie was genuinely scary. It takes a lot to actually scare me and this one totally did that. 95% of suspense is the waiting for something scary to pop out. You are left to your imagination as to what is going to happen and it scares you. But it is also important that the actual scare pays off. These scares definitely did that. when I went to see it with my mother (we love watching horror movies together) the audience was packed with teenagers around my age. You could tell that everyone in the audience was having a lot of fun because we would get the pants scared off of us but we would be laughing because we were all having such a good time being scared. if more horror movies could pull that off then the horror movie world would be a better place. Was the movie flawless? Nope. But my enjoyment of it was at the maximum. I give likableness 10/10
Final score: 37.5/40 93% (N)
Tomatometer rating: 71%
Tomatometer rating if my review was added: 71%
TRIVIA TIME: 1. Towards the beginning of the film, Julie takes a picture of young Kristi standing in the driveway shortly before a group picture is taken. The photo being taken appears in both Paranormal Activity and Paranormal Activity 2 as an indication that the demon has started haunting them.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
My review of the TV show Arrested Development
Now the review of the TV show of the story of the wealthy family who lost everything, and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together.
It's Lord Naseby's review of Arrested Development.
Plot: the show is about a wealthy California family who are in the housing industry. The Bluth Company is run by George Bluth Sr. It is revealed that he did a number illegal things through the Bluth Company including some "light treason" by building houses in Iraq. Once George Sr. is arrested for these crimes, it is up to his son, Michael, to try to keep the family and the company together.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear before we begin, this show is AWESOME. It is one of those shows that was just too smart for people and so they cancelled it. However, they are bringing it back for another season and a movie so yay! What really makes this show spectacular is the witty dialogue and how the characters react to each other and how their separate, usually dominant, personalities clash.
Michael Bluth- Michael is the protagonist of the show. It is his job to try to make the Bluth company run smoothly, something that his family members continually try to disrupt (sometimes intentionally other times not). He is constantly being challenged by his family. He is constantly exasperated by their antics but he still keeps them together as he believes that it is "family first." He has a son named George-Michael whom he is very close to as a result of his wife's death before the events in the show. I really enjoy his sarcastic manner when dealing with his family. He still loves them all at the end of the day. He is the closest thing to an everyman in the show, but I still feel that he sometimes has his own agenda and is rarely as sincere as he would like to believe himself to be, particularly when it comes to his son. He means well with his son, but he often finds himself making mistakes that his father made with him and I like that about him. It gives him depth of character and makes him more interesting to watch.
Favorite quote: *talking to his family*
I am moving to Phoenix and I got a job
*family gives him blank stares*
You know, something you apply for and then they pay you and...never mind I don't want to spoil the surprise.
Lindsay Funke (nee Bluth)- Lindsay is Michael's twin sister. She deeply cares for her father and has an adverse relationship with her mother who continuously suggests that Lindsay is fat. She rebelled against her parents and married Tobias Funke with whom she has a daughter named Maybe. What I like about Lindsay is just how amazingly self-centered and shallow she is. she has a compulsive need to shop. She does love her husband but she has to dig deep down to find those feelings. She neglects her daughter and at points she forgets Maybe exists.She consistently fails at most things she tries and it really makes for hilarious moments in the show.
Favorite quote: Lindsay: I care very deeply about nature Michael
Michael: You're wearing Ostrich skin boots
Lindsay: Well I don't care about Ostriches, Michael
GOB (pronounced Job, as in the biblical book/person) Bluth- GOB is easily my favorite character in the show. In his own way, he is the most sincere character in the show. He's just so unashamedly...GOB. Don't get me wrong, he has his own agenda just like everyone else in the show. He is an amateur magician (but prefers his tricks to be called 'illusions'. I like the extra depth that his character has when he is constantly vying for his father's approval but never really gets it even though at times he thinks that he has gotten it. He is so fun to watch and I think he is easily the best character on the show.And who can forget his hilarious chicken dance?
Favorite Quote: George Sr. "What is this? GOB I don't have time for your tricks"
GOB: "Illusions Dad! You don't have time for my Illusions!"
UNFINISHED
It's Lord Naseby's review of Arrested Development.
Plot: the show is about a wealthy California family who are in the housing industry. The Bluth Company is run by George Bluth Sr. It is revealed that he did a number illegal things through the Bluth Company including some "light treason" by building houses in Iraq. Once George Sr. is arrested for these crimes, it is up to his son, Michael, to try to keep the family and the company together.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear before we begin, this show is AWESOME. It is one of those shows that was just too smart for people and so they cancelled it. However, they are bringing it back for another season and a movie so yay! What really makes this show spectacular is the witty dialogue and how the characters react to each other and how their separate, usually dominant, personalities clash.
Favorite quote: *talking to his family*
I am moving to Phoenix and I got a job
*family gives him blank stares*
You know, something you apply for and then they pay you and...never mind I don't want to spoil the surprise.
Favorite quote: Lindsay: I care very deeply about nature Michael
Michael: You're wearing Ostrich skin boots
Lindsay: Well I don't care about Ostriches, Michael
Favorite Quote: George Sr. "What is this? GOB I don't have time for your tricks"
GOB: "Illusions Dad! You don't have time for my Illusions!"
UNFINISHED
Monday, January 9, 2012
My review of Wolf Creek
I originally saw a clip of this one while watching...I don't know if it was Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments or if it was Bravo's 30 Even Scarier Movie Moments. Anyway, after a while I decided to check it out.
Acting/characters: By far the star performance of the film is John Jarratt as the sadistic Mick Taylor. In a nutshell, Mick Taylor is what you would get if Crocodile Dundee decided to completely stopped caring about anything, something that the film plays with a little bit actually. When we are first introduced to the character (and, maybe it is simply because we know what kind of film we are getting into) there is something unsettling about him despite how seemingly friendly he is (what the heck is 'rainwater from the top end' supposed to mean!?) The movie only actually has 3 other main characters in it, one of whom is absent through a large chunk of the film. I think that the other 3 actors do a great job as well especially when they are being stalked or attacked by Mick Taylor. They do a good job, but Taylor is by far the best character in the film. Jarratt plays him to perfection and every moment he is onscreen is an unsettling one. In fact, he is equally scary when he is not on screen because you have no idea where he might pop up next. 8.5/10
Plot: Pretty Standard ideas for a horror film actually. 1. you have a stranded group and 2. you have a sadistic killer stalking them. However, this film has a good advantage over others because it is more about playing on fears and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats as opposed to 'how much blood can we put on the screen at one time?' Don't get me wrong, there is blood and gore, but the film does not rely heavily on those aspects. It goes for suspense rather then focusing primarily on the kills. This film is often criticized for being merely an exploitation film. I suppose that it is, but I feel that it is one of the better ones. It is certainly more effective than all of the Saw sequels. It did set itself up for a sequel in its own way (coming in 2012 or 2013). The way the film ended I think is the best way to have it end. If it had ended any other way I think it would have been far less effective. It may be sickening at parts, but I enjoyed watching it. 8.5/10
Screenplay: Mick Taylor's dialogue had to be improvised (and it often was). I don't know if there is any way to correctly write a character like Mick Taylor to the point where someone can play him well. The dialogue of the rest of the characters was okay as well I suppose. Nothing in there that really stood out as really good or really bad. It could have been improved a little bit I suppose, but it was fine for the rest of the cast. It was awesome for Mick Taylor though. 8/10
Likableness: I actually really enjoyed this film. I was wary going into it thinking that it may cross my line for what I actually enjoy watching in a horror film, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I know that I am in the minority with that one for sure. The movie was not immensely well received by critics overall (but still not too bad I suppose). The film started off slow and only got edge-of-your-seat when Mick Taylor showed up. This is a film that I would actually suggest to any horror fans out there and I would not mind watching this one again. It is strictly for horror fans of course. If you like Rom Coms, this movie is definitely not your thing and never will be. as a horror fan though, I highly enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing the sequel coming sometime next year I believe. I enjoyed this film. 8.5/10
Final Score: 33.5/40 83% (N)
Tomatometer Rating: 53%
Tomatometer Rating if my review was added: 53%
TRIVIA TIME: 1. The crater in the film is really in Western Australia, but it is spelled "Wolfe Creek" in reality.
2. Unbeknown to the crew the abandoned mine where they chose to film had actually been the site of the real life murder of a woman. The filming prompted a protest from locals who erroneously thought the film was about those events.
3. There had been no rainfall for ten years in the area where the backpackers park their car before setting off for the crater, but it started raining as soon as the crew arrived. In the end, director Greg McLean was happy it rained, as it added to the ominous atmosphere of the scene.
4. According to stars Cassandra McGrath and Kestie Morassi the scenes shot on the beach early in the film may look warm on screen, but were actually freezing. It was so cold that for the scene where Mcgrath runs out into the ocean, all of the crew were behind camera in hats and gloves. According to Magrath, when she got out of the water, she was so cold, she literally couldn't remember her own name.
5. A very eerie coincidence occurred for the second unit crew sent out to get footage of the Wolf Creek Crater. Since the location was many hours from any town the small crew decided to camp out in their car at the site after shooting. During the night a mysterious stranger showed up in a truck to investigate. The stranger indeed looked very much like the character of Mick Taylor, right down to the rustic truck. The stranger left, but the crew was so spooked that they drove an hour down the road before finally stopping to camp for the night.
6. John Jarratt is a method actor and spent weeks living in the Australian desert preparing for the role of Mick Taylor. In addition he also avoided bathing before shooting so he would have a much more rugged appearance. Furthermore, the idea for Mick to have a creepy laugh was Jarratt own (he says it took him four months to get it just right). Cassandra Mgrath said that John Jarratt's sinister laugh gave her nightmares. he also created a detailed biography for the character (although he wouldn't reveal the details to anyone).
7. Although the advertising for the film claims it was based on true events, this is not entirely accurate. The film was influenced by the Ivan Milat and Bradley John Murdoch cases, but it was not based specifically on any one event, and the four principal characters are all entirely fictitious.
Acting/characters: By far the star performance of the film is John Jarratt as the sadistic Mick Taylor. In a nutshell, Mick Taylor is what you would get if Crocodile Dundee decided to completely stopped caring about anything, something that the film plays with a little bit actually. When we are first introduced to the character (and, maybe it is simply because we know what kind of film we are getting into) there is something unsettling about him despite how seemingly friendly he is (what the heck is 'rainwater from the top end' supposed to mean!?) The movie only actually has 3 other main characters in it, one of whom is absent through a large chunk of the film. I think that the other 3 actors do a great job as well especially when they are being stalked or attacked by Mick Taylor. They do a good job, but Taylor is by far the best character in the film. Jarratt plays him to perfection and every moment he is onscreen is an unsettling one. In fact, he is equally scary when he is not on screen because you have no idea where he might pop up next. 8.5/10
Plot: Pretty Standard ideas for a horror film actually. 1. you have a stranded group and 2. you have a sadistic killer stalking them. However, this film has a good advantage over others because it is more about playing on fears and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats as opposed to 'how much blood can we put on the screen at one time?' Don't get me wrong, there is blood and gore, but the film does not rely heavily on those aspects. It goes for suspense rather then focusing primarily on the kills. This film is often criticized for being merely an exploitation film. I suppose that it is, but I feel that it is one of the better ones. It is certainly more effective than all of the Saw sequels. It did set itself up for a sequel in its own way (coming in 2012 or 2013). The way the film ended I think is the best way to have it end. If it had ended any other way I think it would have been far less effective. It may be sickening at parts, but I enjoyed watching it. 8.5/10
Screenplay: Mick Taylor's dialogue had to be improvised (and it often was). I don't know if there is any way to correctly write a character like Mick Taylor to the point where someone can play him well. The dialogue of the rest of the characters was okay as well I suppose. Nothing in there that really stood out as really good or really bad. It could have been improved a little bit I suppose, but it was fine for the rest of the cast. It was awesome for Mick Taylor though. 8/10
Likableness: I actually really enjoyed this film. I was wary going into it thinking that it may cross my line for what I actually enjoy watching in a horror film, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I know that I am in the minority with that one for sure. The movie was not immensely well received by critics overall (but still not too bad I suppose). The film started off slow and only got edge-of-your-seat when Mick Taylor showed up. This is a film that I would actually suggest to any horror fans out there and I would not mind watching this one again. It is strictly for horror fans of course. If you like Rom Coms, this movie is definitely not your thing and never will be. as a horror fan though, I highly enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing the sequel coming sometime next year I believe. I enjoyed this film. 8.5/10
Final Score: 33.5/40 83% (N)
Tomatometer Rating: 53%
Tomatometer Rating if my review was added: 53%
TRIVIA TIME: 1. The crater in the film is really in Western Australia, but it is spelled "Wolfe Creek" in reality.
2. Unbeknown to the crew the abandoned mine where they chose to film had actually been the site of the real life murder of a woman. The filming prompted a protest from locals who erroneously thought the film was about those events.
3. There had been no rainfall for ten years in the area where the backpackers park their car before setting off for the crater, but it started raining as soon as the crew arrived. In the end, director Greg McLean was happy it rained, as it added to the ominous atmosphere of the scene.
4. According to stars Cassandra McGrath and Kestie Morassi the scenes shot on the beach early in the film may look warm on screen, but were actually freezing. It was so cold that for the scene where Mcgrath runs out into the ocean, all of the crew were behind camera in hats and gloves. According to Magrath, when she got out of the water, she was so cold, she literally couldn't remember her own name.
5. A very eerie coincidence occurred for the second unit crew sent out to get footage of the Wolf Creek Crater. Since the location was many hours from any town the small crew decided to camp out in their car at the site after shooting. During the night a mysterious stranger showed up in a truck to investigate. The stranger indeed looked very much like the character of Mick Taylor, right down to the rustic truck. The stranger left, but the crew was so spooked that they drove an hour down the road before finally stopping to camp for the night.
6. John Jarratt is a method actor and spent weeks living in the Australian desert preparing for the role of Mick Taylor. In addition he also avoided bathing before shooting so he would have a much more rugged appearance. Furthermore, the idea for Mick to have a creepy laugh was Jarratt own (he says it took him four months to get it just right). Cassandra Mgrath said that John Jarratt's sinister laugh gave her nightmares. he also created a detailed biography for the character (although he wouldn't reveal the details to anyone).
7. Although the advertising for the film claims it was based on true events, this is not entirely accurate. The film was influenced by the Ivan Milat and Bradley John Murdoch cases, but it was not based specifically on any one event, and the four principal characters are all entirely fictitious.
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| If you go out into the heart of the Australian Outback and scream as loud as you can not a soul will hear you... |
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