Friday, July 29, 2011

Readers International: The Fellowship of the Ring

Today is the 57th anniversary of the day Mr. Tolkien first published The Fellowship of the Ring.
Let's celebrate by studying the fantasy epic's covers through the ages (and around the world).

UK (first edition)
US (first edition)
Canada
1965
1980's
Bulgaria
Estonia
Germany
Sweden
Italy
Romania
Hungary
The Netherlands
Poland
Slovakia



Saturday, July 23, 2011

Captain Typical

Captain America: The First Avenger
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action.

The jokes were funny, the action was pretty good, and the corny parts weren't too bad. I'll admit, the first quarter of the movie was really good. 
But then he somehow ended up as a showboy in a dorky Captain America outfit. Okay, I thought, watching the American hero being humiliatingly displayed as kiddie circus hero, I guess I can let this slide. And I could have, too. I could have ignored the sometimes-fake-looking-CGI (it was pretty good at other times) and the rather downhill plot.
But then the end came.
The credits rolled and I just sat there in a stunned confusion, trying to fathom what had just happened.

Let me clear it up for you.

So, the Captain (named not for his rank but for the circus act afore-mentioned) defeats the villain and disappears under the ocean. Everyone thinks he's dead, including his love interest.
You sit there expecting him to be miraculously rescued, put on a stretcher, and showered in kisses by his lady love. Then, you guess, there will be a cool scene in which he dons his Captain America garb and goes out to fight evil. And only then, you think, will it fade to black.
Not so.
I hate to be harsh, but I have to be honest. It ends with the Captain waking up randomly in the world of 2011, though he still looks as impeccabbly handsome as ever. A man with an eyepatch is quick to inform him that he was "asleep for 70 years" (What?!) and Captain America only replies that he "had a date".
The End.

So, the ending pretty much ruined the entire movie for me.
The only reason they ended it like that was because of the upcoming Avengers movie. They wanted all the superheroes together, apparently, and putting Captain A. in a coma so he could be alive during the modern ages seemed like the only way to be able to squeeze him into next year's movie.
So they destroyed the entire plot of a standalone movie just so they could fit the main character into another film. A film that they don't even know if it's going to be succesful or not.

But I must point out that the first bit of the movie was great. There were hilarious jokes, lovable characters, and it seemed to be going well.

It could have been a decent movie. But, unfortunately, it wasn't.



Favorite Line: "It's OK, I can swim."
Verdict: If you ever do rent it, only watch the first thirty minutes. They're well worth it.
Grey Travel Rating: 3/5
Special Effects: 3/5
Plot: 2/5
Characters: 3/5
Acting: 4/5
Objectionable Content: Uses of the H-word, D-word, and B-word. It is implied that a man moons someone, though nothing is shown.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

It All Ends

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
(Review contains no major spoilers)

To be perfectly honest, I really disliked Part 1. It was dull, dark, and had no laughs whatsoever. It was so disappointing that I was more apprehensive than excited for the eighth and final movie.
But anyone with similar feelings need not fear.
Part 2 is a worthy ending and then some.

Unlike Part 1, this movie had plenty of both action and humor, two necessary ingredients in good movie-making. Part 2 was also a major tear-jerker. So many parts, mostly involving the death of beloved characters, sent me sobbing. And the cinematography was amazing, as well as the musical score.

The scene where they robbed Gringotts was brilliant. They couldn't have done it better. The dragon was wonderfully realistic, and almost enough to bring back my childhood dreams of riding one.

The Battle of Hogwarts was phenomenal. I literally gasped aloud at the very sight of the beloved Quidditch field burning.
I always like Mcgonagall, but even more so in this movie as she completely took charge in the defense of Hogwarts. When we weren't cheering her on, we were cheering for Neville's heroism. And I was extremely pleased to find Luna playing a very active role in the movie.
And Ginny was actually a very good actress in this one.
I won't mention anything about Ron and Hermione's kiss. Let's just say it was perfect, especially as I've been waiting for four years to see it (What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic.)

I also will not say a thing about the final showdown. All I can say is that it is that it was, well, amazing.

When the words "19 years later" came on the screen, everyone in the theater leaned forward.

There were a few things I didn't like. There was a rather grisly shot of Voldemort walking among dead bodies (there's quite a lot of blood). And it was a bit weird when Harry and Voldemort were flying through the air. I liked the Mrs. Weasely vs. Bellatrix moment. Although, admittedly, it was far better in the book.
But that was it.

Well, what else can I say?
Harry Potter is over. It was a big part of my life, and now it is finished.
Ten years and eight movies worth of memories.
One can't help but feel a little bitersweet.



Favorite Line:
Minerva McGonagall: I've always wanted to use that spell.


Verdict: Go see it! (Obviously. It's the last Harry Potter movie. Why wouldn't you?)
Grey Travel Rating: 4/5
Special Effects: 5/5
Plot: 6/5
Characters: 5/5
Acting: 4/5
Objectionable Content: Voldemort's grisly scene afore-mentioned, and uses of the B-Word and H-word.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Hermione is Concerned

I swear, she has the same expression in every picture.
Hermione is very, very concerned.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Brave

I don't know about you, but I'm getting slightly tired of Pixar sequels/prequels.
That's probably why I'm so excited for Brave. Of course, the Scottish setting might have something to do with that, too.
Anyway, enjoy the pictures and the teaser.

Oh, and here's the teaser:

Thursday, July 7, 2011

The Return of the King Quotes II

Picture by Alan Lee
To the Sea, to the Sea! The white gulls are crying,/The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying./West, west away, the round sun is falling./Grey ship, grey ship, do you hear them calling,/The voices of my people that have gone before me?/I will leave, I will leave the woods that bore me;/For our days are ending and our years failing./I will pass the wide waters lonely sailing./Long are the waves on the Last Shore falling,/Sweet are the voices in the Lost Isle calling,/In Eressëa, in Elvenhome that no man can discover,/Where the leaves fall not: land of my people for ever!

'It needs but one foe to breed a war, not two, Master Warden,' answered Éowyn. 'And those who have not swords can still die upon them.'

'Would you have my plain answer?' he said.
'I would.'
'Then, Éowyn of Rohan, I say unto you that you are beautiful. In the valleys of our hills there are flowers fair and bright, and maidens fairer still; but neither flower nor lady have I seen till now in Gondor so lovely, and so sorrowful. It may be that only a few days are left ere darkness falls upon our world, and when it comes I hope to face it steadily; but it would ease my heart, if while the Sun yet shines, I could see you still. For you and I have both passed under the wings of the Shadow, and the same hand drew us back.'

And before he went to his rest he sent for Gimli the Dwarf, and he said to him: 'Gimli Glóin’s son, have you your axe ready?’
‘Nay, lord,’ said Gimli, ‘but I can speedily fetch it, if there be need.’
‘You shall judge,’ said Éomer. ‘For there are certain rash words concerning the Lady in the Golden Wood that lie still between us. And now I have seen her with my eyes.’
‘Well, lord,’ said Gimli, ‘and what say you now?’
‘Alas!’ said Éomer. ‘I will not say that she is the fairest lady that lives.’
‘Then I must go for my axe,’ said Gimli.

Then Éowyn looked in the eyes of Aragorn, and she said: 'Wish me joy, my liege-lord and healer!'
And he answered: 'I have wished thee joy ever since first I saw thee.'

'The Road goes ever on and on/Out from the door where it began./Now far ahead the Road has gone,/Let others follow it who can!/Let them a journey new begin,/But I at last with weary feet/Will turn towards the lighted inn,/My evening-rest and sleep to meet.'

'Very well, Mr. Baggins,' said the leader, pushing the barrier aside. 'But don't forget I've arrested you.'
'I won't,' said Frodo. 'Never. But I may forgive you.'

Ted gaped, for at that moment he first caught sight of the escort that at a sign from Merry now marched over the bridge. Dashing back into the mill he ran out with a horn and blew it loudly. ‘Save your breath!’ laughed Merry. ‘I’ve a better.’ Then lifting up his silver horn he winded it, and its clear call rang over the Hill; and out of the holes and sheds and shabby houses of Hobbiton the hobbits answered, and came pouring out, and with cheers and loud cries they followed the company up the road to Bag End.

Still round the corner there may wait/A new road or a secret gate,/And though I oft have passed them by,/A day will come at last when I/Shall take the hidden paths that run/West of the Moon, East of the Sun.

But Sam turned to Bywater, and so came back up the Hill, as day was ending once more. And he went on, and there was yellow light, and fire within; and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected. And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap. He drew a deep breath. ‘Well, I’m back,’ he said.

Monday, July 4, 2011

The Four Freedoms

Norman Rockwell once did a series of paintings on the freedoms that make America great. I just thought I'd share them.
Have a wonderful 4th of July!

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Worship

Freedom from Want

Freedom from Fear