Are you getting tired of listening to the same Christmas songs over and over again on the radio? Well, I'm not, but you very well may be. If that's the case, enjoy these alternative, Fanboy-approved Christmas songs!
Hope your Christmas is going wonderfully! And through all the last minute holiday shopping and festivities, don't forget to remember the true nature of Christmas!
Oh, and FYI, yes there is a poll going on, feel free to vote. Just highlight the area were the choices would usually be. Don't ask why, frankly I haven't a clue why my blog's giving me trouble.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Roundup: Pirates 4 Trailer, Chuck Parody, New Segment
Lo and behold the trailer for the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie; On Stranger Tides.
After watching the trailer, I'm reminded of the failure that was At World's End. However, I'll stay hopeful that this latest installment will be worthwhile.
For those Chuck fans out there, enjoy this MAD spoof of the ever popular spy show. Yes, it's corny, cheesy and childish, but it's the first spoof of Chuck ever made, and that alone warrants attention.
Fanboy DVD Pick:
We Were Soldiers: Following the exploits of a Lieutenant General (Mel Gibson) who led the US in the first major battle of Vietnam, We Were Soldiers provides a unique look not only at the battlefield, but at life back home where the wives and families of those fighting abroad struggle to cope with the war and everything it brings about.
Here's a new segment within a segment titled, 'Completely Random'.
To herald in the new mini-segment is....THIS! Click Here!!!You Won't Regret It!
Opinions on the new Pirates movie? Sound off in the comments below!
After watching the trailer, I'm reminded of the failure that was At World's End. However, I'll stay hopeful that this latest installment will be worthwhile.
For those Chuck fans out there, enjoy this MAD spoof of the ever popular spy show. Yes, it's corny, cheesy and childish, but it's the first spoof of Chuck ever made, and that alone warrants attention.
Fanboy DVD Pick:
Here's a new segment within a segment titled, 'Completely Random'.
To herald in the new mini-segment is....THIS! Click Here!!!You Won't Regret It!
Opinions on the new Pirates movie? Sound off in the comments below!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Quick Movie Reviews: Despicable Me, Harry Potter & more!
Once again, I'm back! Life always has a way of tearing me away from my blog, and once again, it was just at the right time. Hence I'm happy to say, that everything is right in the world of Alex.
Well, it's been quite a while since I've reviewed movies. I've been promising this latest installment for quite some time now, and finally, here it is. Enjoy and basque in its awesomeness.
The Expendables: If there's one thing that I've learned over the past couple of years of watching movies like Rocky Balboa and Rambo, it's that films directed by Sylvester Stallone are the cinematic equivalent to horse crap. The only reason that they're actually in theaters and not completely overlooked in the Sundance Festival is because his name is on it.
So, it goes without saying that The Expendables is an absolute train wreck. I understand that they were trying to poke fun at all the action movies that have come and gone, but everything was way too overdone! I couldn't believe anything that was going on in the movie which alienated its audience by being blatantly unrealistic, all the while still trying to take itself seriously. Frankly, Rambo was the same way. How can you say that you're making a tribute to action movies with this over-the-top ridiculousness when the last movie that you made had the same exact style, and it didn't make any excuses for itself?!?
Even the movie's vast menagerie of famous action stars couldn't rectify the emptiness and flagrant stupidity that is The Expendables. Frankly, the acting of nearly all the "stars" was incredibly sub par and downright disappointing.
Lastly, it shouldn't come as a surprise that once again, Stallone attempted to humanize his character, which I wouldn't totally be against if it was done in a way that resembles good storytelling in any way shape or form.
Rating: 3 (Vomitous)
Despicable Me: Going into it, I didn't expect much from Despicable Me, it's a CGI children's cartoon about a comical villain, aided by a myriad of even more comical henchman, who finds himself the father of three young orphaned girls. Upon leaving the theater, my original expectations hadn't been proven unwarranted.
Despicable Me is entertaining, but is completely unoriginal. Instead, it tries to use ever popular actor Steve Carrell, cast as the main title villain, to make up for what is obviously recycled material that we've seen hundreds of times in other movies.
Carrell is totally wasted in this role. He's become popular due to his acting; not voice acting. The character hardly draws from Carrell's signature, quirky, style of comedy at all, making the choice to cast Carrell ever the more pointless.
While the children will eat up the asinine antics of Carrell's 'Minions', parents and everyone above the age of 12 will find themselves rewatching a story that has been told countless times.
Rating: 5 (average)
The Last Airbender: While staying partially true to its source material, The Last Airbender deviates away from and neglects what made its inspiration great; fun, character development and the awesome ethnic setting, but mostly fun.
Now, with that said, I really don't understand why this movie has been belittled as much as it has. Yes, it deviates from it's source in more ways than one, yes some of the actors are stiff, and yes Iroh isn't obese, but this movie really isn't that bad.
The original cartoon was fantastic (it's the only anime show that I've ever found remotely interesting), so it hurt to read what many a movie critic had to say about it. And while I really wanted to like this movie more than I do, it simply strayed too far away from everything that made the TV show great to stand outside of the immense shadow that it's descendant cast.
Rating: 5 (average)
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1: With the action entirely taking place outside of Hogwarts, Hallows' creators had the perfect opportunity to do something very different with this latest installment. They did. Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the most unique of all the films and may in fact be my favorite film over the entire series.
The movie, like most of it's predecessors follows the plot of the novels closely and sums up the first half of the book, capturing all it's major plot points, quite accurately. The entire movie had a somber, tenebrous feel to it, and it worked wonderfully.
Hallows was one of my favorite books in the series, so to finally see the initial chase/fight sequence on the big screen was something of a Fanboy dream. I even found myself more wrapped up in the character's adventures, especially the suspense between the trio more so than when I read the book through the first time.
Despite what critics are saying about the movie's so called, cut-off ending, I couldn't disagree more. The film ended at a perfect spot, with an extreme amount of foreboding permeating the very air that you're breathing as the final scene fades to black.
Let me put it this way; everything in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part I coalesces perfectly, from character development, to staying true to the book, to the beautiful cinematography, creating one, if not the, finest installments in the Harry Potter movie franchise to date. Only one question remains, will the next and final movie be able to top it and wrap up this adventure that we've all followed for over a decade?
Rating: 8 (superb)
Get ready for the 12 days of Christmas-Fanboy Style, starting December 12th!
Also, it was Gina from Fantasy Casting's birthday yesterday. Head on over to her blog, give her a birthday greeting, and how 'bout a follow while you're at it? You know that's what you'd want on YOUR birthday!
Well, it's been quite a while since I've reviewed movies. I've been promising this latest installment for quite some time now, and finally, here it is. Enjoy and basque in its awesomeness.
(I went ahead and decided to split this uber-long lineup of movies into two posts, so look forward to my reviews of Toy Story, The Town, Red and Karate Kid shortly.)
The Expendables: If there's one thing that I've learned over the past couple of years of watching movies like Rocky Balboa and Rambo, it's that films directed by Sylvester Stallone are the cinematic equivalent to horse crap. The only reason that they're actually in theaters and not completely overlooked in the Sundance Festival is because his name is on it.
So, it goes without saying that The Expendables is an absolute train wreck. I understand that they were trying to poke fun at all the action movies that have come and gone, but everything was way too overdone! I couldn't believe anything that was going on in the movie which alienated its audience by being blatantly unrealistic, all the while still trying to take itself seriously. Frankly, Rambo was the same way. How can you say that you're making a tribute to action movies with this over-the-top ridiculousness when the last movie that you made had the same exact style, and it didn't make any excuses for itself?!?
Even the movie's vast menagerie of famous action stars couldn't rectify the emptiness and flagrant stupidity that is The Expendables. Frankly, the acting of nearly all the "stars" was incredibly sub par and downright disappointing.
Lastly, it shouldn't come as a surprise that once again, Stallone attempted to humanize his character, which I wouldn't totally be against if it was done in a way that resembles good storytelling in any way shape or form.
Rating: 3 (Vomitous)
Despicable Me: Going into it, I didn't expect much from Despicable Me, it's a CGI children's cartoon about a comical villain, aided by a myriad of even more comical henchman, who finds himself the father of three young orphaned girls. Upon leaving the theater, my original expectations hadn't been proven unwarranted.
Despicable Me is entertaining, but is completely unoriginal. Instead, it tries to use ever popular actor Steve Carrell, cast as the main title villain, to make up for what is obviously recycled material that we've seen hundreds of times in other movies.
Carrell is totally wasted in this role. He's become popular due to his acting; not voice acting. The character hardly draws from Carrell's signature, quirky, style of comedy at all, making the choice to cast Carrell ever the more pointless.
While the children will eat up the asinine antics of Carrell's 'Minions', parents and everyone above the age of 12 will find themselves rewatching a story that has been told countless times.
Rating: 5 (average)
The Last Airbender: While staying partially true to its source material, The Last Airbender deviates away from and neglects what made its inspiration great; fun, character development and the awesome ethnic setting, but mostly fun.
Now, with that said, I really don't understand why this movie has been belittled as much as it has. Yes, it deviates from it's source in more ways than one, yes some of the actors are stiff, and yes Iroh isn't obese, but this movie really isn't that bad.
The original cartoon was fantastic (it's the only anime show that I've ever found remotely interesting), so it hurt to read what many a movie critic had to say about it. And while I really wanted to like this movie more than I do, it simply strayed too far away from everything that made the TV show great to stand outside of the immense shadow that it's descendant cast.
Rating: 5 (average)
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1: With the action entirely taking place outside of Hogwarts, Hallows' creators had the perfect opportunity to do something very different with this latest installment. They did. Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the most unique of all the films and may in fact be my favorite film over the entire series.
The movie, like most of it's predecessors follows the plot of the novels closely and sums up the first half of the book, capturing all it's major plot points, quite accurately. The entire movie had a somber, tenebrous feel to it, and it worked wonderfully.
Hallows was one of my favorite books in the series, so to finally see the initial chase/fight sequence on the big screen was something of a Fanboy dream. I even found myself more wrapped up in the character's adventures, especially the suspense between the trio more so than when I read the book through the first time.
Despite what critics are saying about the movie's so called, cut-off ending, I couldn't disagree more. The film ended at a perfect spot, with an extreme amount of foreboding permeating the very air that you're breathing as the final scene fades to black.
Let me put it this way; everything in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part I coalesces perfectly, from character development, to staying true to the book, to the beautiful cinematography, creating one, if not the, finest installments in the Harry Potter movie franchise to date. Only one question remains, will the next and final movie be able to top it and wrap up this adventure that we've all followed for over a decade?
Rating: 8 (superb)
Get ready for the 12 days of Christmas-Fanboy Style, starting December 12th!
Also, it was Gina from Fantasy Casting's birthday yesterday. Head on over to her blog, give her a birthday greeting, and how 'bout a follow while you're at it? You know that's what you'd want on YOUR birthday!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Updated Design!
Hi everyone!
Christmas is right around the corner! I might be jumping the gun by creating a Christmas themed banner, but for some strange reason, I'm in a particularly festive mood today.
I know, I've been slacking off in my posting as of late, and I've promised numerous times to post my reviews of a lot of different movies, but once again, it seems like real life is taking up most of my time. How dare it?!?
For now, I've updated my blog design with a Christmas theme, which will most likely be modified as the holidays get closer.
I'll be keeping up with everyone's blogs, but I won't get around to creating some articles of my own, movie reviews, (cough), until early December.
Until then, have a Merry Christmas!
Christmas is right around the corner! I might be jumping the gun by creating a Christmas themed banner, but for some strange reason, I'm in a particularly festive mood today.
I know, I've been slacking off in my posting as of late, and I've promised numerous times to post my reviews of a lot of different movies, but once again, it seems like real life is taking up most of my time. How dare it?!?
For now, I've updated my blog design with a Christmas theme, which will most likely be modified as the holidays get closer.
Until then, have a Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Green Lantern Trailer, New The Clone Wars outfits & Serenity!
Well here it is. The long awaited trailer for The Green Lantern!
Okay, is it just me, or does this not look good? I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of Ryan Reynolds. At all. I find him exceedingly annoying, and it looks like they're trying to sprinkle this movie with a little too much of his 'charm'.
And aren't those suits weird? I don't know. It could just be me, but my anticipation for this movie has been drastically lowered.
On the flip side, check out my fellow geek blog Anakin and His Angel, which is celebrating it's tenth anniversary this month! Congrats Jen!
The Clone Wars gets a new look:
Nearly half way through it's third season, The Clone Wars will now be updating the models for it's core three characters, Anakin, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan.
Each character will be sporting a newly designed outfit, with both Obi-Wan and Anakin appearing more like they do in Revenge of the Sith and Ahsoka getting more covered up.
In addition to the new wardrobe, all three characters seemed to have a more 'aged' look. And finally, as witnessed by this awesome video, Ahsoka will be using not one, but two lightsabers in the future. While retaining her original saber, she'll be putting a short lightsaber or shoto to use.
Okay, I'm drawing way too far into this aren't I? All I know is that it's a breath of fresh air seeing these new designs.
Besides the fact that it feels REALLY good having new Serenity material to read, there's one very interesting thing I thought that I should point out. Neither of these comics were created by Joss Whedon. In the comments for Shepherd's Tale on the Dark Horse website, it says that Joss' brother, Zack has been passed the creative torch.
As a fanboy who can dream about a future where Firefly/Serenity returns to both the little and big screens, I am currently jumping for joy. Yes, I CAN dream!
Finally, and I know that I've said this many a time lately, but I WILL be posting my reviews of multiple movies tomorrow; Toy Story 3, The Last Airbender, The Town, Despicable Me and Red.
What are your thoughts on the Green Lantern trailer? Love it? Hate it? Sound off in the comments below!
Okay, is it just me, or does this not look good? I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of Ryan Reynolds. At all. I find him exceedingly annoying, and it looks like they're trying to sprinkle this movie with a little too much of his 'charm'.
And aren't those suits weird? I don't know. It could just be me, but my anticipation for this movie has been drastically lowered.
On the flip side, check out my fellow geek blog Anakin and His Angel, which is celebrating it's tenth anniversary this month! Congrats Jen!
The Clone Wars gets a new look:
Nearly half way through it's third season, The Clone Wars will now be updating the models for it's core three characters, Anakin, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan.
Each character will be sporting a newly designed outfit, with both Obi-Wan and Anakin appearing more like they do in Revenge of the Sith and Ahsoka getting more covered up.
In addition to the new wardrobe, all three characters seemed to have a more 'aged' look. And finally, as witnessed by this awesome video, Ahsoka will be using not one, but two lightsabers in the future. While retaining her original saber, she'll be putting a short lightsaber or shoto to use.
Okay, I'm drawing way too far into this aren't I? All I know is that it's a breath of fresh air seeing these new designs.
Serenity Continues:
Serenity, the ever popular cult-classic sci-fi western is continued once again in a comic book format with the long awaited Shepherd's Tale, and also a free online comic, Downtime.
Besides the fact that it feels REALLY good having new Serenity material to read, there's one very interesting thing I thought that I should point out. Neither of these comics were created by Joss Whedon. In the comments for Shepherd's Tale on the Dark Horse website, it says that Joss' brother, Zack has been passed the creative torch.
As a fanboy who can dream about a future where Firefly/Serenity returns to both the little and big screens, I am currently jumping for joy. Yes, I CAN dream!
Finally, and I know that I've said this many a time lately, but I WILL be posting my reviews of multiple movies tomorrow; Toy Story 3, The Last Airbender, The Town, Despicable Me and Red.
What are your thoughts on the Green Lantern trailer? Love it? Hate it? Sound off in the comments below!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Roundup: Again
This video, courtesy of both MTV and my fellow geek blog, TCW Reviews, has brought me to one conclusion, one single irrefutable fact; Savage Oppress is a monster. An extremely cool, over the top, killing machine of a monster. If you do nothing else in the day but watch this clip it will be worth it.WATCH IT!!!
Savage is a Monster:
Okay. So that was pretty cool right? Well here's another video to wet your appetite. Have I been going crazy with the videos lately? Yes. Am I likely to stop anytime in the near future? Probably not... no.
Kung Fu Panda 2 Trailer:
Lastly, coinciding with the release of the Serenity graphic novel The Shepherd's Tale, comes a free online web comic called Downtime. While it is short, it's a great tale with a very authentic Firefly feel to it. Check it out here.
Alright, that's it. Again. I fully intend to create a full length post in the near future, most likely a Quick Movie Review of all of the following; The Town, The Last Airbender, The Karate Kid and Toy Story 3. I know that I've promised this before, but I assure you, I'm working on it. So stay tuned!
Savage is a Monster:
Okay. So that was pretty cool right? Well here's another video to wet your appetite. Have I been going crazy with the videos lately? Yes. Am I likely to stop anytime in the near future? Probably not... no.
Kung Fu Panda 2 Trailer:
Lastly, coinciding with the release of the Serenity graphic novel The Shepherd's Tale, comes a free online web comic called Downtime. While it is short, it's a great tale with a very authentic Firefly feel to it. Check it out here.
Alright, that's it. Again. I fully intend to create a full length post in the near future, most likely a Quick Movie Review of all of the following; The Town, The Last Airbender, The Karate Kid and Toy Story 3. I know that I've promised this before, but I assure you, I'm working on it. So stay tuned!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Roundup: Video-centric
I didn't feel liking creating a post today, until I'd seen this. Originally, I wasn't very intrigued by the addition of Darth Maul's brother in The Clone Wars. The whole concept just seemed to be an example of how the team behind The Clone Wars was running out of story lines. In their defense, they're not, the whole thing just felt very Star Trekish. Technically speaking there's only so many new stories that can be created. [1] [2]
You may or may not have heard of Kinect, the new supplemental gaming system to the Xbox 360. For those of you who own one, I envy you all the more; Star Wars will be making it's way to the Kinect system next year.
What is Kinect you ask? To sum it up, it's basically a camera that tracks your movements without the assistance of anything that you hold or wear, and broadcasts the image of you and your movements onto the game that you're playing.
I think. Honestly, the technology is new to me too...
Lastly, and this is a must-watch, I've posted a new video in the upper right hand corner of my blog, (as if you hadn't seen that like a smack in the face when the page first loaded). The video features Brian Regan, a comedian I've discovered recently. Is it just me, or is he one of the funniest stand up comedians you've ever seen? And he's clean. I usually don't fixate on that, (I'll admit, Dane Cook can be funny. At times...) but it's a breath of fresh air to watch someone be funny, without being overly crude or obscene. Just watch, I promise you won't regret it!
And for additional viewing pleasure, check out these other Brian Regan videos; UPS, Serving Sizes, Stupid in School, Flying.
You may or may not have heard of Kinect, the new supplemental gaming system to the Xbox 360. For those of you who own one, I envy you all the more; Star Wars will be making it's way to the Kinect system next year.
What is Kinect you ask? To sum it up, it's basically a camera that tracks your movements without the assistance of anything that you hold or wear, and broadcasts the image of you and your movements onto the game that you're playing.
I think. Honestly, the technology is new to me too...
Lastly, and this is a must-watch, I've posted a new video in the upper right hand corner of my blog, (as if you hadn't seen that like a smack in the face when the page first loaded). The video features Brian Regan, a comedian I've discovered recently. Is it just me, or is he one of the funniest stand up comedians you've ever seen? And he's clean. I usually don't fixate on that, (I'll admit, Dane Cook can be funny. At times...) but it's a breath of fresh air to watch someone be funny, without being overly crude or obscene. Just watch, I promise you won't regret it!
And for additional viewing pleasure, check out these other Brian Regan videos; UPS, Serving Sizes, Stupid in School, Flying.
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