Interstellar Review: Better Than Avatar

Interstellar Review

Anyone remember Avatar? You know, the best selling movie of all time the was basically Pocahontas in space? The movie that is accepted as one of the best sci-fi movies ever? I have news for you, Avatar has been beat.

I don’t know why I’m only realizing this now, but Avatar has actually been bested (as far a quality goes) multiple times this year alone. Hell, Guardians of the Galaxy was easily better than “Quest of Blue Monkey Cats.”

I suppose I am noticing because Interstellar is the first sci-fi space adventure that I truly loved since Avatar. (To be fair, there haven’t been many of those in recent years). Let me explain:

By the way, there could be Spoilers. Maybe.

Plot

Describing the plot of this movie without spoiling too much is going to be like playing a game of Minesweeper. Here we go.

Interstellar stars Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway (among others) in a future where Earth is dying. Farming and food is the priority for every person on the planet. Blights and Famines have ravaged the countrysides, killing crops and creating a 21st Century dust bowl. People are starving and the world is desperate for a solution.

In comes Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a farmer, engineer, and former NASA pilot. He is also a beloved father. After discovering a secret NASA base, Cooper is enlisted by his old mentor to lead a mission through a wormhole to find potential planets to relocate to. Much to the dismay of his family, Cooper agrees to the journey, and shortly after, lakes off towards the wormhole.

At this point you are about twenty minutes into an almost three hour long movie. Unfortunately, this is as far as I’ve decided to summarize this time. The rest of the movie is something you need to experience for yourselves. The rest of the movie is just constant thrill and emotion. Matt Damon shows up at some point; it gets weird.

Acting

What a cast. Seriously, everyone in this movie is fantastic (Yes, even Hathaway). I felt that in some moments McConaughey’s performance felt too forced, but for the most part he was okay.

Note: Do not go see this movie for the acting. Even though the performances are great, the movie is more about an exciting journey and heart-touching story.

SFX/Action

Interstellar looks gorgeous. Outer space and all the planets look amazing. There are several scenes in the movie that are so thrilling just because of the scenery and SFX. I want to tell you about them, but instead you should really just see the movie.

Award Time!

Best Performance: Matt Damon as Dr. Mann.

Best Scene: The emergency docking scene (you’ll know the one).

Best Planet: The ocean planet.

Conclusion

From the outside, Interstellar may just look like a space adventure. Although that is true, Interstellar is more than that. It has a thrilling, heartwarming, and thought-provoking narrative that had me literally on the edge of my seat the whole time. I give Interstellar a 9.5/10. Please go see this movie and scratch that sci-fi itch that I know has been bothering you.

Constantine First Two Episodes Review and Thoughts on the Series

Constantine First Two Episodes Review: Better Than Gotham

DC Comics have premiered three different TV shows this fall. Combined with the already established show Arrow, DC now has four superhero-based shows across multiple networks (math), creating quite the foothold in the television medium. The latest show to premiere was Constantine.

Note: I put off writing this review because after the pilot, I didn’t have a great feel for the show. Having now seen the first two episodes, I think I have a good idea of how the show will unfold. Also, I can confirm: It is better than Gotham.

SPOILERS!

Constantine is based on the successful DC (and more specifically, Vertigo) comic series Hellblazer. There was a film adaptation the comic a couple years ago starring Keanu Reeves. The movie was fun, but not great.

The main character of the show is John Constantine, an exorcist, demonologist, and, um, dabbler of the Dark Arts.

I am a fan of the Hellblazer comics and a huge fan of Vertigo Comics as a whole. I was not only excited to see the show’s pilot, but also satisfied with what I saw.

Constantine’s pilot was incredibly fun. The pilot was full of cameos, references, and smart-ass remarks (courtesy of John). Essentially, the episode’s plot involves John helping an old friend’s daughter by protecting her from a creature that is haunting her. I was worried that the daughter was going to be a permanent character in the show, but it looks like she was written out.

Don’t get me wrong, the girl was a great plot device because Constantine was constantly having to explain things to her, but her character was stereotypical and a little obnoxious.

After this pilot, all Constantine had done was save the girl, move into his dead friend’s old house, and got a map with a bunch of supernatural disasters prophesied on it. It was at this point that I began to develop a suspicious thought. Later, I watched the second episode, and my speculation was confirmed.

Season 1 of Constantine is going to be just like the first season of Supernatural.

In episode two, John travels across the country to fight an unknown but prophesied force. Along the way, he met another, more interesting girl, who conveniently has the same skill set of the first one. Anyway, I have a feeling that this season is going to follow the “Saving people, hunting things” pattern.

But that’s okay! For those of you don’t know, Supernatural’s first season had the Winchester Brothers fighting a different monster/threat each episode. Honestly, I this route is the most logical for Constantine’s storyline.

It’s Award Time

Best Performance: Matt Ryan as John Constantine

Best Reference for All the Nerds: The Doctor Fate Helmet.

Ahem. Prepare for a pretty big geek-out. In the pilot, the helmet of Doctor Fate is shown in the house wear Constantine is staying.

Holy crap! I pretty much lost my mind at that point. If Doctor Fate makes an appearance at any point in this show, it will be amazing. Oh! And what if something happens that causes Constantine to put on the helmet in order to win a fight or something?!?

Wooo. Breath. Don’t worry, I’ll be okay; just give me a minute.

Note: If you don’t know who/what Dr. Fate is, then look it up! I don’t think I can appropriately explain his significance.

Conclusion

I have a problem with DC’s TV series. They exist in their own universe, are not tied to the movies in any way, and only Arrow and The Flash are connected (at the moment). But Vertigo is predetermined to exist in a different universe than the rest of the DC universe (Vertigo comics take place in the magical universe of Europe). That’s why I am okay with watching Constantine. There is no responsibility to watch any other shows or movies, and I don’t need to worry about ridiculous continuity errors (*cough, cough* Gotham). It’s just a fun show.

Constantine is not the best it could be. The show has a lot of plot holes and moments when things just don’t make sense. There needs to be a lot more backstory explained in the coming episodes. Still, I believe in Constantine. It shows definite promise. I give the first two episodes of Constantine a combined score of 8.5/10. Watch the show and enjoy it. I promise it isn’t that scary.

My Top Ten Fictional Characters of All Time

My Top Ten Fictional Characters of All Time

Good god, this was difficult. Out of the tens of thousands of fictional characters that I am familiar with, to pick only ten was torturous. And who knows? Maybe I will find a character in the future that I love more than these. I guess this list may update over time.

Just so you know, I pulled my ten from a bunch of different sources, including movies, television, and books.

There may be spoilers about the backgrounds of these characters.

SPOILER ALERT

Note: These are all my personal opinion. Don’t get mad.

10. Doctor Strange

The sorcerer supreme himself! I’ve always been a fan of the good doctor, and who could blame me? Armed with the Eye of Agamotto, Dr. Stange protects the world from various mystical forces of evil. It’s a shame more people aren’t familiar with him. Maybe that will change when (if) his movie comes out. Regarding the movie, Keanu Reeves needs and deserves this role! Let Benedict Cumberbatch be Doctor Fate or something!

9. The Mad Hatter

Tea, anyone? The Mad Hatter is the kooky character from Alice in Wonderland (I’m not talking about the Batman villain). He is completely and utterly insane, but in a fun sort of way. He’s also one of the most complex characters, well, ever! Please Mr. Depp, play him again soon…..

8. Arden Bales/The Warded Man

Chances are you don’t know who The Warded Man is. It’s sad but true that the Demon Cycle series is not as know as I want it to be. The Demon Cycle series is a  series of books written by Peter V. Brett tells the tale of Arden Bales, a man who tattoos his entire body so that he can fight demons. It just so happens to be my favorite series of all time. I await Book 4 anxiously.

7. Harley Quinn

I think I’m in love with Harleen Quinzel. This former psychiatrist from the DC Universe fell in love (and into insanity) with the Joker, Batman’s number one foe. Although she can be portrayed as stupid and dingy, it’s her spontaneous and irrational personality that makes her such a good character.

6. Zaheer

The most recently created character on this list is Zaheer. He was featured as the main villain in Book 3 of the Legend of Korra.

Note: If you haven't watched Korra or Avatar: The Last Airbender, they are the best cartoons you can watch. Go watch them, and then read my review of Korra: Book 3. Thanks.

Zaheer has complex motives. A member of the Red Lotus, Zaheer is ruthlessly devoted to his cause.

Plus, he can fly.

No, not glide. Fly.

Those of you who have seen the series will understand the significance of that. Zaheer also blesses us with one of my favorite quotes of all time: “Let go of all your earthly tether. Enter the void, empty, and become wind.”

5. Ezio Auditore da Firenze

 The Assassin’s Creed franchise is my favorite series of video games. There have been several playable Assassins so far, but of those, the most distinguishable is Ezio. The main character of three different games taking place in Renaissance Europe, he is probably the most skilled Assassin in the series. His suave demeanor and cunning wit have become trademarks of the franchise.

Note: Assassin’s Creed Revelations is my favorite entry in the series (and I’ve played them all).

4. Leonardo da Vinci

Technically, Leonardo da Vinci was an actual person, but I am specifically depiction of Da Vinci in the fictionalized show: Da Vinci’s Demons. Just thinking about this show gets me excited. It’s so good!

Leo is everything I look for in a character. He’s like a cross between Captain Jack Sparrow, Sherlock Holmes, and Doctor Who. He is also a little bit crazy. Da Vinci’s Demons is my favorite show, and Leo deserves the number four spot on this list. #timeisariver

3. Captain Jack Sparrow

Drink up me hearties, yo ho! I can’t think of a character that is as appealing to absolutely everyone as Captain Jack. One of the main characters of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Sparrow is spontaneous, drunk, and probably insane (are you starting to notice a pattern?).

Sparrow is the most legendary Pirate in modern pop-culture. When POTC 5 comes out, I will be there at the midnight premiere. And you'd be wise to include the "Captain" in his name, savvy?

2. V

V

I never thought I would care so much about a terrorist. V for Vendetta (the movie and graphic novel) chronicles the terrorist plot of Codename: V, a skilled combatant and strategist who wears a Guy Fawkes mask.

Obsessed with the letter V, as well as the fifth of November, V is intelligent, mysterious, and probably insane. But I love him for it.

I confess, I’m having a hard time putting the way I feel about V into words. I guess all I can say is V is more than a character. He’s an idea, and ideas are bulletproof.

Runners Up

• Yusuf Tazim - Assassin’s Creed Revelations
• Rorschach - Watchmen
• Dirk Pitt - Various Clive Cussler novels

1. The Joker

The Joker

He’s the Clown Prince of Crime, Batman’s greatest villain, and definitely insane. He’s such a monster that he’s lovable. Portrayed as both a sophisticated crime boss and a chaotic serial killer, Joker wears many faces (literally, his face was cut off in the New 52).

Although Heath Ledger’s Joker was brilliant, my favorite portrayal of the Clown was in Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns graphic novel. In the novel and film adaptation the Joker is older, and just wants to have his last moment on Earth with Batman. That, and murder several innocent people. But he’s so funny!

Note: I think I am attracted to characters who are insane because I can relate to them.

That concludes this Top Ten List. For more top tens, review, and other critical stuff, like, comment, and subscribe.

Legend of Korra Book 4 Premiere Review

The Legend of Korra Book 4: Balance

Premiere Review

The Legend of Korra Book 4 premiered last Friday. I have loved the series since its creation. I was also filled with glee once I heard that the final season would premiere as early as October third! Anyway, here are my thoughts on this season’s first episode.

SPOILERS!!

The Time Leap

This season takes place three years after the events of Book 3, and many things have changed since we last saw team Avatar.

The time jump is the largest one in the series’ history. I originally thought that the jump was just for the benefit of the writers, serving as a plot device to eliminate the need for detailed story telling.

I was wrong.

The time jump is actually one of the most interesting things about this season. It adds a sense of “unknown” to the show. I’m sure every episode will reveal something new.

Kuvira Is Awesome

I’m not sure there can be a better villain than Zaheer. I mean c’mon, the only many to “become wind” since Guru Laghima was one of the most interesting and powerful bad guys in Avatar history.

Nevertheless, Kuvira is amazing. She is the first female antagonist in the Korra series. She is a metal bender with a very unique style of bending. Essentially, Kuvira is armed with a rack of metal bands that hang on her back. She fires off these bands of metal to blindfold, gag, and handcuff her enemies.

In this season, Kuvira is trying to unite the Earth Kingdom under her army. Some people like her methods, while others want the Earth Prince to take over.

Regardless, Kuvira is a force to be reckoned with.

While I don’t think Kuvira will be a better female villain than Azula, I am excited to see how she matures into more of threat.

Korra is Sad… and has Short Hair

Korra is absent from the episode until the last minute and a half. She is shown with her hair cut in a Earth Bending cage fight.

Basically, she gets her butt handed to her by some random Earthbending girl. Later, she walks away from the ring with a bruised face.

I like the idea of an Avatar who is too broken to be the Avatar. Still, I want Korra to make a quick recovery and get back to fighting like a pro. Apparently the second episode revolves around what happened to Korra during the three years. I look forward to it.

The Airbenders are Superheroes

Air nation has grown in the years gone by, and they now travel the world doing the Avatar’s work. Now equipped with fancy wingsuits, the Airbenders are like the vigilantes of the Avatar world.

We get a good look at Opal and Kai’s newfound skills a couple of times in the episode. I cannot wait to see how the older Airbenders behave in the upcoming episodes.

Award Time!!

Best New Character: Kuvira

Best Returning Character: Milo (the man)

Best Fight Scene in This Episode: The Kuvira Train Fight

Funniest Character in This Episode: Prince Wu (Earth Prince)

Conclusion

This episode left me anxiously anticipating the rest of the season. I give the Book 4 premiere a 9.5/10. Please watch it if you haven’t already.