Ain’t there supposed to be 7?
Or
I’m getting the band back together. Yeah, even the dead one!
Superman returns! Oh, sorry. Spoiler alert.
Sarcasm
Brought to us by the directors who gave us Avengers and Sucker Punch (Really? Snyder directed Sucker Punch and they gave him the reigns to the DC universe? If I was a dog my head would be cocked at a weird angle now trying to figure that out) comes the culmination of Warner Bros DC plans.
I liked it.
No. Seriously. After those snuff films, Man of Steel and Batman v Superman (and let’s not forget Suicide Squad), this was fun to watch. Instead of revisiting 9/11 across a whole city we got a friggin’ comic book movie. There’s no in depth story going on here. The whole movie is based on a McGuffin that was already established, which fits this kind of movie like a glove (heh). But, I came here for the characters and the action, so play on McGuff… in.
I dug the team dynamic they had going on. None of them got cheated. The least character development went to Wonder Woman, but she just had her own movie. Besides, she kicks the MOST ass in this. Cyborg is a bit dry, but Flash and Aquaman give this movie the most fun and have the most entertaining moments (mostly). Cavill’s Superman (spoiler again) is a lot less dour than in the previous movies, and therefore more Supermanny (Super-Manny? Supermany? Supermanish?).
Affleck is a waste of time. He should never have been cast as Batman. I’ve seen him 3 times in the role, and every time he’s on the screen all I can think is, “That’s Affleck. Why?” It’s just a distraction to have him in this movie.
You can pretty much tell when Whedon takes over. That’s when the movie becomes fun. Too bad he didn’t do the whole movie. These characters can potentially be more colorful than their Marvel contemporaries can. Instead of a bunch of scientists and soldiers (and 1 alien god) you have Amazons, Atlanteans, a guy hit by lightning, a half-robot and a pissed off billionaire. (And, 1 dead alien god who won’t be that dead for long. Spoiler). Whedon plays with these characters in a way that Snyder has no clue how to do.
Is this movie redemption for what came before? No. That prize goes to Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman alone for now. But, it’s a HUGE step up from the other DC movies.
Prime’s Bottom Line – Needed more green
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Saturday, November 10, 2012
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – SKYFALL
License to Feel
Or
Which brings us back to Do, Do, Do, Do, Double Oh Seven
Just to quell your fears, James Bond does get laid in this movie. There. Now you can read the rest of this without being on pins and needles worrying about his sex life.
Those familiar horns blare, and we’re thrust into yet another adventure with everyone’s favorite spy (outside of Secret Squirrel) as he fights for Queen and Country. 007 returns for the 23rd, or 3rd, or 25th or whatever film adventure. He’s got a gun. He’s got a martini. He’s got a fast car, and he’s got a plan to get us out of here.
Casino Royale was the prequel we didn’t know we needed. Now it feels that these three latest Bond movies were actually a prequel trilogy (never seen that before), as this film was more like the end of the beginning. CR gave us this raw James Bond, fresh off getting his double 0 status. Quantum of Solace (worst Bond title ever) showed us a Bond dealing with exactly what that new status meant. This time we delve more into Bond’s past, showing some of what motivates him and molded him, while having him deal with that as well. We’re left with a much more complete character study than ever before. Sure, he drinks, he romances and he kills, but now we get what makes him so bloody good at it. He can be cold as ice when he needs to be, but he knows the depth of each action he takes.
And, there’s plenty of action to be had in this one. The over-the-top chases are back in full force. Incredible stunts and seamless CGI have us dodging bullets and riding on top of trains at breakneck speeds. There are moments which are extremely tense and others that are extremely explosive. And, then we get more trains.
The acting is as to be expected from such an amazing cast. Daniel Craig brings his hard as nails Bond back. Dame Judy Dench’s just as nail hard M returns as well. Joining them are Don’tcallmesir Albert Finney, Ralph hewhowon’tbenamed Fiennes and Raul Julia- I’m sorry, I mean Javier Bardem as the eeeevil Silva. I’m kinda half joking about the last part. I’ve noticed a little bit of Raul Julia in Javier’s performances before, but this time he was channeling Raul. And, I mean that in the best way possible.
A fantastic beginning’s end, I’d put this far above the mediocre Quantum and just a hair beneath the amazing Casino.
Prime’s Bottom Line – I give this 007 out of 008
Or
Which brings us back to Do, Do, Do, Do, Double Oh Seven
Just to quell your fears, James Bond does get laid in this movie. There. Now you can read the rest of this without being on pins and needles worrying about his sex life.
Those familiar horns blare, and we’re thrust into yet another adventure with everyone’s favorite spy (outside of Secret Squirrel) as he fights for Queen and Country. 007 returns for the 23rd, or 3rd, or 25th or whatever film adventure. He’s got a gun. He’s got a martini. He’s got a fast car, and he’s got a plan to get us out of here.
Casino Royale was the prequel we didn’t know we needed. Now it feels that these three latest Bond movies were actually a prequel trilogy (never seen that before), as this film was more like the end of the beginning. CR gave us this raw James Bond, fresh off getting his double 0 status. Quantum of Solace (worst Bond title ever) showed us a Bond dealing with exactly what that new status meant. This time we delve more into Bond’s past, showing some of what motivates him and molded him, while having him deal with that as well. We’re left with a much more complete character study than ever before. Sure, he drinks, he romances and he kills, but now we get what makes him so bloody good at it. He can be cold as ice when he needs to be, but he knows the depth of each action he takes.
And, there’s plenty of action to be had in this one. The over-the-top chases are back in full force. Incredible stunts and seamless CGI have us dodging bullets and riding on top of trains at breakneck speeds. There are moments which are extremely tense and others that are extremely explosive. And, then we get more trains.
The acting is as to be expected from such an amazing cast. Daniel Craig brings his hard as nails Bond back. Dame Judy Dench’s just as nail hard M returns as well. Joining them are Don’tcallmesir Albert Finney, Ralph hewhowon’tbenamed Fiennes and Raul Julia- I’m sorry, I mean Javier Bardem as the eeeevil Silva. I’m kinda half joking about the last part. I’ve noticed a little bit of Raul Julia in Javier’s performances before, but this time he was channeling Raul. And, I mean that in the best way possible.
A fantastic beginning’s end, I’d put this far above the mediocre Quantum and just a hair beneath the amazing Casino.
Prime’s Bottom Line – I give this 007 out of 008
Saturday, May 05, 2012
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS
And, there came a day… FINALLY
Or
Getting the band back together for the very first time
There was an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that was by and large another romp in monster-slaying land. At the very end of the episode, Buffy gets home, walks in the front door and starts talking to her mother who is lying on the couch. It takes her a few seconds to realize her mother isn’t holding up her end of the conversation. That’s because Buffy’s mother is dead. Not because of a vampire. Not because of a zombie. Not because of a haunted piano being dropped on her head. She died from a brain aneurism. A medical condition that the doctors thought they had fixed. Just like that. Fine one moment, dead from something (not so) benign the next.
I call that The Whedon Twist.
What M Night Shamalamadingdong did to great effect in Sixth Sense, Joss Whedon did on a weekly basis throughout the run of both Buffy and Angel. At some point in the story he twisted everything on one action, one moment. Like the shower stabbing in Psycho or, “Luke, I am your father.” You think you know exactly where the story is going when… GAME CHANGER! This makes it very difficult to review something from Whedon. This also explains why my review for Cabin in the Woods was so short. But, mainly it explains why watching Whedon’s work is such a joyful experience.
You just never know when The Whedon Twist will smack you upside your head.
I will, of course, NOT go anywhere near the spoilers that abound in this film. That will make this a short review. (Now you know the reason for the extended preamble) Suffice it to say your head will get smacked.
I’ve been tingling for this movie since Sammy L spoke the words, “Avengers Initiative” after the credits of the first Iron Man flick. That moment was pure geekasm, and has carried me through four other movies as I awaited this culmination. For years I’ve been anticipating huge set pieces, over the top action, great CGI and big battles.
What I got was intelligent dialogue, well thought out characters, amazing pacing, laugh out loud humor, deep pathos, blood, devastation, death, war, horror, hugesetpiecesoverthetopatctiongreatCGIandbigbattles.
Almost all the principles are back. And, they all bring the same great characterizations from their standalone movies. The one exception is we get Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk. Many, me included, were distraught over the news that Ed Norton wouldn’t be reprising the role. He was the best thing about Incredible Hulk. But by the end of this movie, I really was thinking, “Ed who?” Ruffalo is Bruce Banner now. Period. That’s how impressed I was by his performance. Especially as he had to make his mark with his limited screen time, being only one out of the bunch. It was also the best looking CGI Hulk we’ve been given. The key reason is they made him look like a “Hulked” out Mark Ruffalo. That connected Hulk to Banner in a way the two Hulk movies didn’t.
One difficulty I expected was how hard it would be to merge such disparate characters. Yeah, they’re all comic book superheroes, but each with a different take on what that means. And, each of their movies was given form by different directors. How do you get Favreau’s Iron Man in the same world as Brannagh’s Thor? The perfect answer was to give them all to Whedon. He’s always excelled at ensemble casts who each have their own voice. In the past, he’s taken an Ex-military Captain, a mutant, a preacher, a prostitute, and a mercenary and put them all on the same spaceship. Whedon made that work. He made this work too.
Let’s not lay all the credit at the feet of the various filmmakers. Keep in mind there are DECADES of character development and storylines that created a pretty extensive template to work from. Thank you Messrs Simonson, Byrne, David, Brubaker, Michelinie, Kirby, Millar and of course The Main Man Stan Lee. If you don’t know these names, that’s okay. Just take my word for it. There were many more, but I haven’t got the time.
Speaking of time, never has two and a half hours gone by so quickly. The pacing of this movie worked perfectly for me. I’ve seen that some feel the first hour dragged a bit. I didn’t feel that way at all. We get enough Bangs and Pows in the first hour to keep it chugging while all the pieces get in place for the next ninety minutes of HOLY CRAP! And, I cannot possibly say enough about the humor that permeates every scene. Another Whedon staple is how the laughs come at all the right times. Mostly one-liners from Downey’s Tony Stark. But, Ruffalo and his green alter ego get the best moments. Hulk funniest one there is! Everyone gets a bad-ass moment. That includes the SHIELD trio of Fury, Coulson and newcomer Maria Hill. The action kept shifting from one character to another so smoothly, without short-changing any of them. The whole movie just rocked back and forth like a good roller-coaster summer blockbuster is supposed to.
The casting was spot on perfection. The director was correctly chosen. The story didn’t disappoint. The action was fantastic. The entertainment value was through the roof. And, yeah, stay through the credits for a little epilogue.
Prime’s Bottom Line – EXCELSIOR!!!! (I know I used that before, but it really fits here.)
Or
Getting the band back together for the very first time
There was an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that was by and large another romp in monster-slaying land. At the very end of the episode, Buffy gets home, walks in the front door and starts talking to her mother who is lying on the couch. It takes her a few seconds to realize her mother isn’t holding up her end of the conversation. That’s because Buffy’s mother is dead. Not because of a vampire. Not because of a zombie. Not because of a haunted piano being dropped on her head. She died from a brain aneurism. A medical condition that the doctors thought they had fixed. Just like that. Fine one moment, dead from something (not so) benign the next.
I call that The Whedon Twist.
What M Night Shamalamadingdong did to great effect in Sixth Sense, Joss Whedon did on a weekly basis throughout the run of both Buffy and Angel. At some point in the story he twisted everything on one action, one moment. Like the shower stabbing in Psycho or, “Luke, I am your father.” You think you know exactly where the story is going when… GAME CHANGER! This makes it very difficult to review something from Whedon. This also explains why my review for Cabin in the Woods was so short. But, mainly it explains why watching Whedon’s work is such a joyful experience.
You just never know when The Whedon Twist will smack you upside your head.
I will, of course, NOT go anywhere near the spoilers that abound in this film. That will make this a short review. (Now you know the reason for the extended preamble) Suffice it to say your head will get smacked.
I’ve been tingling for this movie since Sammy L spoke the words, “Avengers Initiative” after the credits of the first Iron Man flick. That moment was pure geekasm, and has carried me through four other movies as I awaited this culmination. For years I’ve been anticipating huge set pieces, over the top action, great CGI and big battles.
What I got was intelligent dialogue, well thought out characters, amazing pacing, laugh out loud humor, deep pathos, blood, devastation, death, war, horror, hugesetpiecesoverthetopatctiongreatCGIandbigbattles.
Almost all the principles are back. And, they all bring the same great characterizations from their standalone movies. The one exception is we get Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk. Many, me included, were distraught over the news that Ed Norton wouldn’t be reprising the role. He was the best thing about Incredible Hulk. But by the end of this movie, I really was thinking, “Ed who?” Ruffalo is Bruce Banner now. Period. That’s how impressed I was by his performance. Especially as he had to make his mark with his limited screen time, being only one out of the bunch. It was also the best looking CGI Hulk we’ve been given. The key reason is they made him look like a “Hulked” out Mark Ruffalo. That connected Hulk to Banner in a way the two Hulk movies didn’t.
One difficulty I expected was how hard it would be to merge such disparate characters. Yeah, they’re all comic book superheroes, but each with a different take on what that means. And, each of their movies was given form by different directors. How do you get Favreau’s Iron Man in the same world as Brannagh’s Thor? The perfect answer was to give them all to Whedon. He’s always excelled at ensemble casts who each have their own voice. In the past, he’s taken an Ex-military Captain, a mutant, a preacher, a prostitute, and a mercenary and put them all on the same spaceship. Whedon made that work. He made this work too.
Let’s not lay all the credit at the feet of the various filmmakers. Keep in mind there are DECADES of character development and storylines that created a pretty extensive template to work from. Thank you Messrs Simonson, Byrne, David, Brubaker, Michelinie, Kirby, Millar and of course The Main Man Stan Lee. If you don’t know these names, that’s okay. Just take my word for it. There were many more, but I haven’t got the time.
Speaking of time, never has two and a half hours gone by so quickly. The pacing of this movie worked perfectly for me. I’ve seen that some feel the first hour dragged a bit. I didn’t feel that way at all. We get enough Bangs and Pows in the first hour to keep it chugging while all the pieces get in place for the next ninety minutes of HOLY CRAP! And, I cannot possibly say enough about the humor that permeates every scene. Another Whedon staple is how the laughs come at all the right times. Mostly one-liners from Downey’s Tony Stark. But, Ruffalo and his green alter ego get the best moments. Hulk funniest one there is! Everyone gets a bad-ass moment. That includes the SHIELD trio of Fury, Coulson and newcomer Maria Hill. The action kept shifting from one character to another so smoothly, without short-changing any of them. The whole movie just rocked back and forth like a good roller-coaster summer blockbuster is supposed to.
The casting was spot on perfection. The director was correctly chosen. The story didn’t disappoint. The action was fantastic. The entertainment value was through the roof. And, yeah, stay through the credits for a little epilogue.
Prime’s Bottom Line – EXCELSIOR!!!! (I know I used that before, but it really fits here.)
Saturday, April 14, 2012
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
Let’s Twist again, like I know you did last summer
Or
Boo
Joss Whedon.
But, I’ve said too much already.
I really liked this movie.
Joss Whedon created Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Serenity/Firefly, Angel, directed the upcoming Avengers movie and created Angel. You can tell this is a Whedon movie even before you see Amy Acker is in it.
I’m sorry. You now know more than you should.
Prime’s Bottom Line – Whedon.
Or
Boo
Joss Whedon.
But, I’ve said too much already.
I really liked this movie.
Joss Whedon created Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Serenity/Firefly, Angel, directed the upcoming Avengers movie and created Angel. You can tell this is a Whedon movie even before you see Amy Acker is in it.
I’m sorry. You now know more than you should.
Prime’s Bottom Line – Whedon.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
Monkey see, Monkey makes a good movie
Or
Something Chimpy
Finally we get a follow-up to the original Planet of the Apes (hereafter referred to as POTA) that is worthy of it. Now, this is NOT a remake of the original movie, rather a prequel to it and instead a remake of Conquest of the POTA (see how that works? It’ll save SO much time) which was the fourth in the original series. Conquest gave us Roddy Mcdowell as Caesar emancipating his brethren and sistren from indentured servitude after his adoptive father (played by Ricardo Khan Montalban. I shit you not) sacrificed himself to protect his baby boy chimp. The convoluted storyline included time travel (not as original as that was the plot device of the first movie), baby switching, growing up in a circus and NO explanation how the apes (monkeys, chimps, whatever) got intelligent enough to become maids, butlers and handymen (handyapes?). Most importantly, this movie has NOTHING to do with that Tim Burton/Mark Wahlberg hunk of flung monkey feces.
The movie is saddled with a lifeless performance by James Franco, but thankfully he’s surrounded by other actors who always give their all. We get the always impressive work of John Lithgow and Brian Cox, and a stronger than expected performance from David Oyelowo as the generic “Evil Moneygrubbing Corporate Boss”. Even Tom Felton (the other Mr. Malfoy) and Freida Pinto at least showed up to work. But, the best performance of the movie was Andy Serkis as Caesar. The charisma and angst that he emotes THROUGH the CGI, in basically a silent performance, is truly incredible. Unfortunately, unless the Academy decides to add a category for Best Lead Performance by a CGI Aided Actor, he prolly won’t get the recognition he deserves.
The action pieces of the movie serve the story perfectly, instead of the other way around. They keep the pace tense, and leads to some unexpected moments. Failure and triumph constantly change places during the story. You go through the movie thinking you already know what’s going to happen to each character, but they keep you guessing. This is Rupert Wyatt’s first major pic as director, and it shows he has a grasp on what will simultaneously intrigue and entertain. Just what a summer movie (and any other season, thank you) needs.
I was very impressed with the artistry that went into the apes, both by the actors (particularly Serkis) and the animators. The motion capture worked perfectly well with what was drawn over it. There were some moments when I felt 3D would have been welcome, but the movie didn’t need it. Kudos to them for not pushing this in 3D just for the cash boost.
With an engaging narrative, charismatic main character with a fantastic story arc and pitch perfect pace, this may just be the best movie I’ll see this year.
Prime’s Bottom Line – They did it. They blew up the box office. Damn them. Damn them all the way to the bank.
Monkey see, Monkey makes a good movie
Or
Something Chimpy
Finally we get a follow-up to the original Planet of the Apes (hereafter referred to as POTA) that is worthy of it. Now, this is NOT a remake of the original movie, rather a prequel to it and instead a remake of Conquest of the POTA (see how that works? It’ll save SO much time) which was the fourth in the original series. Conquest gave us Roddy Mcdowell as Caesar emancipating his brethren and sistren from indentured servitude after his adoptive father (played by Ricardo Khan Montalban. I shit you not) sacrificed himself to protect his baby boy chimp. The convoluted storyline included time travel (not as original as that was the plot device of the first movie), baby switching, growing up in a circus and NO explanation how the apes (monkeys, chimps, whatever) got intelligent enough to become maids, butlers and handymen (handyapes?). Most importantly, this movie has NOTHING to do with that Tim Burton/Mark Wahlberg hunk of flung monkey feces.
The movie is saddled with a lifeless performance by James Franco, but thankfully he’s surrounded by other actors who always give their all. We get the always impressive work of John Lithgow and Brian Cox, and a stronger than expected performance from David Oyelowo as the generic “Evil Moneygrubbing Corporate Boss”. Even Tom Felton (the other Mr. Malfoy) and Freida Pinto at least showed up to work. But, the best performance of the movie was Andy Serkis as Caesar. The charisma and angst that he emotes THROUGH the CGI, in basically a silent performance, is truly incredible. Unfortunately, unless the Academy decides to add a category for Best Lead Performance by a CGI Aided Actor, he prolly won’t get the recognition he deserves.
The action pieces of the movie serve the story perfectly, instead of the other way around. They keep the pace tense, and leads to some unexpected moments. Failure and triumph constantly change places during the story. You go through the movie thinking you already know what’s going to happen to each character, but they keep you guessing. This is Rupert Wyatt’s first major pic as director, and it shows he has a grasp on what will simultaneously intrigue and entertain. Just what a summer movie (and any other season, thank you) needs.
I was very impressed with the artistry that went into the apes, both by the actors (particularly Serkis) and the animators. The motion capture worked perfectly well with what was drawn over it. There were some moments when I felt 3D would have been welcome, but the movie didn’t need it. Kudos to them for not pushing this in 3D just for the cash boost.
With an engaging narrative, charismatic main character with a fantastic story arc and pitch perfect pace, this may just be the best movie I’ll see this year.
Prime’s Bottom Line – They did it. They blew up the box office. Damn them. Damn them all the way to the bank.
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – THOR
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – THOR
‘Cross the Rainbow Bridge of Asgard…
Or
If I had a Hammer… (Yeah. I went there.)
This was Thor’s first live action appearance since 1988s “Return of the Incredible Hulk” which had him looking like a blonde steroidal beach bum and his supposed alter-ego Donald Blake screaming “ODIN!!!” to summon him like an ersatz Captain Marvel. It was obviously an attempt at a spin-off series, but man did it stink. About the only thing that version has in common with this movie is…
Well, he’s blonde.
This time around we get Kenneth “I can make you understand Shakespeare” Brannagh’s version on the big screen in glorious 3D. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it doesn’t matter how good the pedigree of your director is. You have to match the RIGHT director to the CORRECT comic book property. I.E. for Batman – Schumacher = bad, Nolan = good. Here we have a comic book steeped in Norse mythology that has all the goings on of a Shakespeare play. Royal court intrigue, mischievous magic-wielders, hints of patricide and all the sword (and hammer) play you could want. Brannagh was a perfect choice for this just as he would have been a waste on just about any other comic book movie.
The quick overview of the nine realms leads into some beautifully rendered vistas. From Thor’s home of Asgard to the Frost Giant’s home world, they’ve infused such great scope and architecture that it’s almost a shame we ever have to leave them to come down to earth. Those vistas lend themselves to some of the more phenomenal 3D in the whole movie. Watching the action in 3D is fine, but being brought into these otherworldly places in 3D makes the magic that more real.
There’s plenty of adventure with all the sword and hammer and magic and pseudo-scientific fighting going on. But the best action sequence occurs before Thor even gets to earth. 5 Norse gods against an army of Frost Giants and their “little” pet was exciting, overblown summer movie fun. The rest of the action, good as it was, paled in comparison. If only they hadn’t shot their load so quickly. Oh well. Premature climax, and all that.
It’s got a great cast. From Chris Hemsworth in the title role to Rene Russo and SIR Anthony Hopkins as mommy god and daddy god. Nice cameo by Renner making Hawkeye look cool just standing in the rain. But, here’s what really grinds my gears. I was very disappointed with Natalie Portman. Her character came off as weak and unnecessary. It seems that Portman phones in her performances for the blockbuster/paycheck movies and saves her good work for the Oscar worthy films. Note her nod for Black Swan while her work as Padme in the Star Wars prequels sucked like a Hoover vacuum working the docks.
I liked the action. I liked the vision. I liked how the after-credits teaser scene from Iron Man II was included in the middle of this movie, unlike how the other tag scenes (Samuel L in the first Iron Man – Downey in The Hulk – Sammy L again after this movie) simply became segues (five pounds). I really liked this movie.
Prime’s Bottom Line – Forsooth! This art a glorious & imperious visage!!! (translation – Kewl flick!)
‘Cross the Rainbow Bridge of Asgard…
Or
If I had a Hammer… (Yeah. I went there.)
This was Thor’s first live action appearance since 1988s “Return of the Incredible Hulk” which had him looking like a blonde steroidal beach bum and his supposed alter-ego Donald Blake screaming “ODIN!!!” to summon him like an ersatz Captain Marvel. It was obviously an attempt at a spin-off series, but man did it stink. About the only thing that version has in common with this movie is…
Well, he’s blonde.
This time around we get Kenneth “I can make you understand Shakespeare” Brannagh’s version on the big screen in glorious 3D. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it doesn’t matter how good the pedigree of your director is. You have to match the RIGHT director to the CORRECT comic book property. I.E. for Batman – Schumacher = bad, Nolan = good. Here we have a comic book steeped in Norse mythology that has all the goings on of a Shakespeare play. Royal court intrigue, mischievous magic-wielders, hints of patricide and all the sword (and hammer) play you could want. Brannagh was a perfect choice for this just as he would have been a waste on just about any other comic book movie.
The quick overview of the nine realms leads into some beautifully rendered vistas. From Thor’s home of Asgard to the Frost Giant’s home world, they’ve infused such great scope and architecture that it’s almost a shame we ever have to leave them to come down to earth. Those vistas lend themselves to some of the more phenomenal 3D in the whole movie. Watching the action in 3D is fine, but being brought into these otherworldly places in 3D makes the magic that more real.
There’s plenty of adventure with all the sword and hammer and magic and pseudo-scientific fighting going on. But the best action sequence occurs before Thor even gets to earth. 5 Norse gods against an army of Frost Giants and their “little” pet was exciting, overblown summer movie fun. The rest of the action, good as it was, paled in comparison. If only they hadn’t shot their load so quickly. Oh well. Premature climax, and all that.
It’s got a great cast. From Chris Hemsworth in the title role to Rene Russo and SIR Anthony Hopkins as mommy god and daddy god. Nice cameo by Renner making Hawkeye look cool just standing in the rain. But, here’s what really grinds my gears. I was very disappointed with Natalie Portman. Her character came off as weak and unnecessary. It seems that Portman phones in her performances for the blockbuster/paycheck movies and saves her good work for the Oscar worthy films. Note her nod for Black Swan while her work as Padme in the Star Wars prequels sucked like a Hoover vacuum working the docks.
I liked the action. I liked the vision. I liked how the after-credits teaser scene from Iron Man II was included in the middle of this movie, unlike how the other tag scenes (Samuel L in the first Iron Man – Downey in The Hulk – Sammy L again after this movie) simply became segues (five pounds). I really liked this movie.
Prime’s Bottom Line – Forsooth! This art a glorious & imperious visage!!! (translation – Kewl flick!)
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – CAPTAIN AMERICA
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – CAPTAIN AMERICA
You’ll believe a man can shrink
Or
The Red and the White and the Blue come through
This is a WWII movie through and through. Training camp, big battles, POWs, prison breaks, incursions, secret codes, secret bases, secret identities and USO girls abound. Though this is an origin story, we do have a war going on in the background for the first half hour or so. The movie keeps us entertained while we wait for him to bulk up. Before the bulkening, we get some amazing CGI that makes Chris Evans in the title role look scrawny and just plain small. What’s most incredible about that is they don’t digitally put his head on someone else’s body like Benjamin Button. That’s actually Evans performing the whole time, and they digitally shrunk him here and there to give us the “sand kicked in his face” before look.
I will happily admit to trepidation at the idea of Chris Evans taking on this iconic role. Particularly after watching his first iconic super-hero role as the Human Torch in the two Fantastic Four movies last decade. He played Johnny Storm much like Ryan Reynolds. Flash forward to this year, and look at what Reynolds did to Green Lantern. Yeah, my trepidation was well founded. But, I’m happy to admit said trepidation mainly because I had nothing to worry about. Evans did a fine job portraying our star-spangled hero. He gave Steve Rogers such pathos and courage. The heart of the story becomes more about the character of the character than his superhuman abilities. He had us empathizing, understanding, and admiring this true hero.
Back to the Human Torch, that leads us to the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it coolest cameo of the movie. At the World’s Fair expo in good old Flushing, Queens, they pan through the room, briefly showing Dr. Phineas Horton’s creation. Marvel Comic’s FIRST super-hero, the Synthetic Man known as the original Human Torch! I don’t consider this much of a spoiler because a: if you’re a big enough geek (like me) to notice the cameo, you’ve seen this movie already, 2: If you’ve seen the flick and didn’t notice, I’m being kind enough to point it out to you and d: if you don’t have a certain amount of geek in you, right now you’re thinking, “Whoop-de-shit. Get back to the review already, Jagoff!” and could care less.
Evans is aided by some fantastic performances, especially Stanley Tucci as his mentor/father figure, and Tommy Lee Jones in the same gruff boss/comedy relief role as J.K. Simmons did as J Jonah Jameson in the Spiderman trilogy. (New Spiderman trailer on a huge screen in 3D? Niceness!) Jones has THE best lines in the movie, in the same vein as “I don’t care!” from The Fugitive. Then we have Hugo Weaving who has gone from a drag queen in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to the go-to guy for mega-property blockbusters. THE villain from The Matrix and Transformers, not to mention papa elf from LOTR, The masked lead from V for Vendetta and Noah from Happy Feet (heh) is now one of the top five comic book villains of all time. And, man did they make him look perfect. No simply scarred up face like they did in the first Captain America movie from 1990. They CGI’ed him into the Red Skull, emphasis on SKULL. With that voice backing up the visual, we got one ominous evil nazi. Rounding out the cast were fine performances from Toby Jones as Arnim Zola (no robot body… yet), Dominic Cooper as Tony’s daddy Howard Stark, a bunch of guys as the Howling Commandos and Sebastian Stan as “when is he gonna die” Bucky Barnes. Oh yeah, and Hayley Atwell is thrown in as Peggy Carter so we had a buffer for this sausage fest.
Yeah. I said that.
They set up next year’s Avengers without this being a “prequel”. Just as Marvel has done with the other Avengers movies, this is first and foremost its own entity. Little snippets are there to lead to the Avengers, but take nothing away from the narrative of the good Captain’s story. And, as in the other movies, the main link to Avengers is kept for the last scene and the scene after the credits.
One thing that was underwhelming was I felt the 3D was totally unnecessary for this movie. There are no glorious vistas of Asgard here. Seeing Cap’s shield fly by in 3D was just not worth the extra five bones the movie theater charged me. They captured New York and Europe of the 1940s just fine. 3D added nothing.
This is simply a fantastic adventure war movie, with a hero you root for from the beginning and a villain (Nazis are easy) you really despise.
Prime’s Bottom Line – I am SO ready for the Avengers! (sans Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman)
You’ll believe a man can shrink
Or
The Red and the White and the Blue come through
This is a WWII movie through and through. Training camp, big battles, POWs, prison breaks, incursions, secret codes, secret bases, secret identities and USO girls abound. Though this is an origin story, we do have a war going on in the background for the first half hour or so. The movie keeps us entertained while we wait for him to bulk up. Before the bulkening, we get some amazing CGI that makes Chris Evans in the title role look scrawny and just plain small. What’s most incredible about that is they don’t digitally put his head on someone else’s body like Benjamin Button. That’s actually Evans performing the whole time, and they digitally shrunk him here and there to give us the “sand kicked in his face” before look.
I will happily admit to trepidation at the idea of Chris Evans taking on this iconic role. Particularly after watching his first iconic super-hero role as the Human Torch in the two Fantastic Four movies last decade. He played Johnny Storm much like Ryan Reynolds. Flash forward to this year, and look at what Reynolds did to Green Lantern. Yeah, my trepidation was well founded. But, I’m happy to admit said trepidation mainly because I had nothing to worry about. Evans did a fine job portraying our star-spangled hero. He gave Steve Rogers such pathos and courage. The heart of the story becomes more about the character of the character than his superhuman abilities. He had us empathizing, understanding, and admiring this true hero.
Back to the Human Torch, that leads us to the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it coolest cameo of the movie. At the World’s Fair expo in good old Flushing, Queens, they pan through the room, briefly showing Dr. Phineas Horton’s creation. Marvel Comic’s FIRST super-hero, the Synthetic Man known as the original Human Torch! I don’t consider this much of a spoiler because a: if you’re a big enough geek (like me) to notice the cameo, you’ve seen this movie already, 2: If you’ve seen the flick and didn’t notice, I’m being kind enough to point it out to you and d: if you don’t have a certain amount of geek in you, right now you’re thinking, “Whoop-de-shit. Get back to the review already, Jagoff!” and could care less.
Evans is aided by some fantastic performances, especially Stanley Tucci as his mentor/father figure, and Tommy Lee Jones in the same gruff boss/comedy relief role as J.K. Simmons did as J Jonah Jameson in the Spiderman trilogy. (New Spiderman trailer on a huge screen in 3D? Niceness!) Jones has THE best lines in the movie, in the same vein as “I don’t care!” from The Fugitive. Then we have Hugo Weaving who has gone from a drag queen in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to the go-to guy for mega-property blockbusters. THE villain from The Matrix and Transformers, not to mention papa elf from LOTR, The masked lead from V for Vendetta and Noah from Happy Feet (heh) is now one of the top five comic book villains of all time. And, man did they make him look perfect. No simply scarred up face like they did in the first Captain America movie from 1990. They CGI’ed him into the Red Skull, emphasis on SKULL. With that voice backing up the visual, we got one ominous evil nazi. Rounding out the cast were fine performances from Toby Jones as Arnim Zola (no robot body… yet), Dominic Cooper as Tony’s daddy Howard Stark, a bunch of guys as the Howling Commandos and Sebastian Stan as “when is he gonna die” Bucky Barnes. Oh yeah, and Hayley Atwell is thrown in as Peggy Carter so we had a buffer for this sausage fest.
Yeah. I said that.
They set up next year’s Avengers without this being a “prequel”. Just as Marvel has done with the other Avengers movies, this is first and foremost its own entity. Little snippets are there to lead to the Avengers, but take nothing away from the narrative of the good Captain’s story. And, as in the other movies, the main link to Avengers is kept for the last scene and the scene after the credits.
One thing that was underwhelming was I felt the 3D was totally unnecessary for this movie. There are no glorious vistas of Asgard here. Seeing Cap’s shield fly by in 3D was just not worth the extra five bones the movie theater charged me. They captured New York and Europe of the 1940s just fine. 3D added nothing.
This is simply a fantastic adventure war movie, with a hero you root for from the beginning and a villain (Nazis are easy) you really despise.
Prime’s Bottom Line – I am SO ready for the Avengers! (sans Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman)
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – BAD TEACHER
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – BAD TEACHER
I don’t feel dirty
Or
Does Cameron Diaz really need bigger tits?
For extra credit: Bad Teacher was -
(a) Truly Warped
(b) Well worthy of its R rating
(c) The funniest movie I’ve seen in theatres this year so far
(d) All of the above
(e) South America
I was worried that this movie wouldn’t live up to the legacy of its “bad” predecessor Bad Santa. That worry was alleviated early on when Ms Diaz announced she was going to do “something” to “somebody’s” “something” like she was mad at it (have fun with that mad lib). She stayed true to that character throughout the movie. Some of my favorite comedies are the ones where the main characters don’t have to “learn something today” as Stan Marsh would say (or was that Kyle?). There was no growth in Animal House. The Marx Brothers didn’t become better human beings by the end of Duck Soup. Borat moved back home and married a hooker. Sometimes that self-discovery character arch gets in the way of a good comedy. No worries about that here. As a result, the comedy is allowed to flow raw and raucous from beginning to end. This movie is unrepentantly funny. No moral lesson here. Just funny.
Cameron Diaz plays a teacher who wants money to make her boobies bigger to attract substitute teacher Justin Timberlake. That’s about all you need to know. She’s never been funnier and she’s never been sexier.
This was the second movie in the last year that had a scene dedicated to dry humping. And, this movie really milked it for all it’s worth. This reminds me, I hate Justin. It’s not fair for someone to be that good looking, sing that well, act that well and be that funny. DAMN YOU TIMBERLAKE! And, you even got to rip off Janet Jackson’s clothes on national T.V.? Your soul is in a jar in hell, it has to be! Either there or at the Disney archives. If there’s a difference between the two. Seriously, I’ve got to give JT kudos for being willing to look the ass for a laugh. In fact, all of the casting was amazing. From Jason Segel to Phyllis Smith (from The Office) to John Michael Higgins (from all those Christopher Guest movies). But, especially Lucy Punch as Amy Squirrel who played the role of the anal retentive, neurotic priss to insane perfection.
Much had been said about Bridesmaids before this movie came out. About how Bridesmaids was one of the funniest movies in a long while, and how it took the idea of a “Chick Flick” and turned it into something men could enjoy too. I would proffer that Bad Teacher, which is definitely Cameron Diaz’ movie (and if you didn’t notice, she is most assuredly a Chick) is ultimately funnier, more satisfying and better geared at bridging that gender gap.
The slow motion scene where she washed the car didn’t hurt my eyes either.
Prime’s Bottom Line – The answer is (e) South America. In 1632, Paolo De La Cruz decided that “his” America would be separated from the northern half. He then created the stretch known as Central America using clay and maize (what the gringos called corn) to form an umbilical landmass. He decided to name his new continent after his Kindergarten teacher Beatrice South, who was reported to be the worst teacher who ever lived.
If you got this question correct, add 0.5 points to your final score. This will be graded on a curve.
I don’t feel dirty
Or
Does Cameron Diaz really need bigger tits?
For extra credit: Bad Teacher was -
(a) Truly Warped
(b) Well worthy of its R rating
(c) The funniest movie I’ve seen in theatres this year so far
(d) All of the above
(e) South America
I was worried that this movie wouldn’t live up to the legacy of its “bad” predecessor Bad Santa. That worry was alleviated early on when Ms Diaz announced she was going to do “something” to “somebody’s” “something” like she was mad at it (have fun with that mad lib). She stayed true to that character throughout the movie. Some of my favorite comedies are the ones where the main characters don’t have to “learn something today” as Stan Marsh would say (or was that Kyle?). There was no growth in Animal House. The Marx Brothers didn’t become better human beings by the end of Duck Soup. Borat moved back home and married a hooker. Sometimes that self-discovery character arch gets in the way of a good comedy. No worries about that here. As a result, the comedy is allowed to flow raw and raucous from beginning to end. This movie is unrepentantly funny. No moral lesson here. Just funny.
Cameron Diaz plays a teacher who wants money to make her boobies bigger to attract substitute teacher Justin Timberlake. That’s about all you need to know. She’s never been funnier and she’s never been sexier.
This was the second movie in the last year that had a scene dedicated to dry humping. And, this movie really milked it for all it’s worth. This reminds me, I hate Justin. It’s not fair for someone to be that good looking, sing that well, act that well and be that funny. DAMN YOU TIMBERLAKE! And, you even got to rip off Janet Jackson’s clothes on national T.V.? Your soul is in a jar in hell, it has to be! Either there or at the Disney archives. If there’s a difference between the two. Seriously, I’ve got to give JT kudos for being willing to look the ass for a laugh. In fact, all of the casting was amazing. From Jason Segel to Phyllis Smith (from The Office) to John Michael Higgins (from all those Christopher Guest movies). But, especially Lucy Punch as Amy Squirrel who played the role of the anal retentive, neurotic priss to insane perfection.
Much had been said about Bridesmaids before this movie came out. About how Bridesmaids was one of the funniest movies in a long while, and how it took the idea of a “Chick Flick” and turned it into something men could enjoy too. I would proffer that Bad Teacher, which is definitely Cameron Diaz’ movie (and if you didn’t notice, she is most assuredly a Chick) is ultimately funnier, more satisfying and better geared at bridging that gender gap.
The slow motion scene where she washed the car didn’t hurt my eyes either.
Prime’s Bottom Line – The answer is (e) South America. In 1632, Paolo De La Cruz decided that “his” America would be separated from the northern half. He then created the stretch known as Central America using clay and maize (what the gringos called corn) to form an umbilical landmass. He decided to name his new continent after his Kindergarten teacher Beatrice South, who was reported to be the worst teacher who ever lived.
If you got this question correct, add 0.5 points to your final score. This will be graded on a curve.
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 4
RADICAL ROCK’S REVIEW – MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 4
My, what a long fuse you have
Or
Gone like a fart in a sandstorm
Let’s get this out first. My mother’s last name is Phelps. She’s still pissed at Tom Cruise for vilifying then killing off Jim Phelps in the first Mission Impossible movie. I didn’t like it either, but have since come to the personal understanding that it wasn’t Peter Graves’ Mr. Phelps that got croaked. It was Jon Voight’s substantially inferior Mr. Phelps that turned out to be an asshole. Different Jim Phelps. The name was just a coincidence.
Had to get that off my chest. There. Now we can begin.
Do not go to this action movie if you don’t like action movies. Seems like a Zen, Yogi Berra-ish thing to say, but there is really not much else to see this movie for. It really is just pure action. And, that’s by design. The story is pure McGuffin. The thinnest of excuses (a rogue Russian wants to start WW3? Never heard that one before!) is simply a reason for Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt to jet around the world and do Pilates hanging outside the tallest building in the world. The action is over the top exciting, including the best chase scene I’ve seen since Casino Royale. This is not Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. You don’t go to this movie to enjoy the intrigue. You buy a ticket, sit down with a trough of popcorn and watch OMG moment after OMG moment unfurl. And, yes, I saw it in IMAX. And, it was the best hunk of sensory overload I’ve had in a long while. The other major ingredient in this movie is its humor. Even with imminent nuclear destruction, personal revenge and a large body count, this movie keeps the tongue stuck in the cheek. It’s got a great sense of humor without really becoming a comedy. Remember the first time you saw True Lies? Yeah, it’s like that.
Without the accent.
The cast has a ball with what they’re given to do. Tom Wilkinson‘s turn as Ethan Hunt’s boss du jour is just a don’t blink McGuffin moment. If you’ve seen his part in the trailer, that’s about it. Hurt Locker star and Hawkeye-to-be Jeremy Renner portrays the baddest non badass badass I’ve ever seen (that’ll make sense when you see the movie). You add a female lead (Paula Patton) who is avenging the murder of her love, the comic relief (Simon Scotty Shaun Wee Hughie Pegg) from a previous MI movie and a really bad guy with a hot chick assassin, and you’re pretty much done. That said, let’s face facts. There are no really intriguing or original character studies here. This is NOT Merchant Ivory. Most of what’s said is just there to set up the next bit of action.
Just as the Bond movies have scaled down the gadgets, this movie has decided to bring them back to the forefront. THANK YOU. I personally always loved the Bond gadgets, and have missed them. Remember how he had a watch that would print out a message in text? How Sci-Fi is that!?! Straight from the future of 1995! Just like that, the gadgets in this movie are inventive yet you believe the technology is almost there. In some cases just outside our reach. Even the contact lenses.
This movie was a nice little Christmas present. Or Hannukah, or Ramadan, or Kwanzaa, or whatever Tom Cruise celebrates (Overlord Grahr Day?). Rollercoaster, edge of your seat action that puts a big smile on your face.
Prime’s Bottom Line – I think I’ll call it McGuffin Improbable 4 from now on.
My, what a long fuse you have
Or
Gone like a fart in a sandstorm
Let’s get this out first. My mother’s last name is Phelps. She’s still pissed at Tom Cruise for vilifying then killing off Jim Phelps in the first Mission Impossible movie. I didn’t like it either, but have since come to the personal understanding that it wasn’t Peter Graves’ Mr. Phelps that got croaked. It was Jon Voight’s substantially inferior Mr. Phelps that turned out to be an asshole. Different Jim Phelps. The name was just a coincidence.
Had to get that off my chest. There. Now we can begin.
Do not go to this action movie if you don’t like action movies. Seems like a Zen, Yogi Berra-ish thing to say, but there is really not much else to see this movie for. It really is just pure action. And, that’s by design. The story is pure McGuffin. The thinnest of excuses (a rogue Russian wants to start WW3? Never heard that one before!) is simply a reason for Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt to jet around the world and do Pilates hanging outside the tallest building in the world. The action is over the top exciting, including the best chase scene I’ve seen since Casino Royale. This is not Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. You don’t go to this movie to enjoy the intrigue. You buy a ticket, sit down with a trough of popcorn and watch OMG moment after OMG moment unfurl. And, yes, I saw it in IMAX. And, it was the best hunk of sensory overload I’ve had in a long while. The other major ingredient in this movie is its humor. Even with imminent nuclear destruction, personal revenge and a large body count, this movie keeps the tongue stuck in the cheek. It’s got a great sense of humor without really becoming a comedy. Remember the first time you saw True Lies? Yeah, it’s like that.
Without the accent.
The cast has a ball with what they’re given to do. Tom Wilkinson‘s turn as Ethan Hunt’s boss du jour is just a don’t blink McGuffin moment. If you’ve seen his part in the trailer, that’s about it. Hurt Locker star and Hawkeye-to-be Jeremy Renner portrays the baddest non badass badass I’ve ever seen (that’ll make sense when you see the movie). You add a female lead (Paula Patton) who is avenging the murder of her love, the comic relief (Simon Scotty Shaun Wee Hughie Pegg) from a previous MI movie and a really bad guy with a hot chick assassin, and you’re pretty much done. That said, let’s face facts. There are no really intriguing or original character studies here. This is NOT Merchant Ivory. Most of what’s said is just there to set up the next bit of action.
Just as the Bond movies have scaled down the gadgets, this movie has decided to bring them back to the forefront. THANK YOU. I personally always loved the Bond gadgets, and have missed them. Remember how he had a watch that would print out a message in text? How Sci-Fi is that!?! Straight from the future of 1995! Just like that, the gadgets in this movie are inventive yet you believe the technology is almost there. In some cases just outside our reach. Even the contact lenses.
This movie was a nice little Christmas present. Or Hannukah, or Ramadan, or Kwanzaa, or whatever Tom Cruise celebrates (Overlord Grahr Day?). Rollercoaster, edge of your seat action that puts a big smile on your face.
Prime’s Bottom Line – I think I’ll call it McGuffin Improbable 4 from now on.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
This U-Turn is turning into a circle.
Figured maybe I'd start putting some thoughts back up here for the world to see. Those of the world that want to see.
Both of you.
I'm gonna start by just posting a few of the movie reviews I did the last couple of years. Should be more of those to come.
NY to L.A. to NY is the U-Turn. I'll be heading back to L.A. soon. That's the circle. Be seeing you Lefters soon.
Both of you.
I'm gonna start by just posting a few of the movie reviews I did the last couple of years. Should be more of those to come.
NY to L.A. to NY is the U-Turn. I'll be heading back to L.A. soon. That's the circle. Be seeing you Lefters soon.
Radical Rock's Review - Star Trek
Saturday, May 09, 2009
My jaw hit the floor several times during this movie.
I've seen every episode of all the series with the exception of Enterprise. Enterprise rewrote too much of the Star Trek canon, just for the sake of making it new. Unnecessarily, as you will find. I've even read a few of the books. Never gone to one of the conventions with fake pointy ears. Never had to have Shatner tell me to grow up or leave my parents basement. Not a Trekkie, but a Trekker. The distinction in my mind is that it's not the be all end all of my existience, but I do dig most things Trek. I just like good writing, and interesting premises. The acting can be hokey at times, but I enjoy that as well. But, I do believe in the honest purity of what has come before. Han shoots first? That's bullshit. The guys looking for E.T. are carrying flashlights, not guns? Kiss my fat ass. So, the idea of another Trek restart did not sit well with me, as I'm sure it did not sit well with others. But, let's consider another recent restart.
Casino Royale.
To fans of the Bond legacy, the idea of restarting Bond from scratch was anathema. "How dare you erase all that has gone before?" But, Bond started in the SIXTIES. Hit it's stride in the seventies and cruised through the eighties. The nineties saw it as tired. Guess what? Same can be said of another property. And, guess what else?
Casino Royale Rocked to the Prime.
So does the new Trek.
Except, through very inventive writing, and pure Sci-Fi thinking outside the box, everything that has gone before has still gone before. Even though it's a clean start.
What the hell does that mean?
See the movie.
Intrigued? You should be.
Let's get to the non spoiler stuff. JJ Abrams can direct a damn fine action flick. He proved that with Mission Impossible III, and has shown that again here. Once this movie has established the basic plot and gotten the chess pieces into place, it kicks into high gear and doesn't let up until the Coda.
The acting from the Big Seven was fantastic. Loved the new takes on the characters. Oddly, yet correctly, the most in keeping with the original character, and thereby the least impressive to me, was Quinto as Spock. He channeled Nimoy. Karl Urban did an unbelievable homage to DeForest Kelley as Bones, but breathed new life into the character as well. Quinto felt more like mimicry. Not chagrining the potrayal, just saying that the most publicised, (which might be the reason), was the least impressive.
The twists in this movie truly shocked me. I commend them for the balls to do what they did. I kept expecting one of the old Sci-Fi deux es machinas to come in to place to erase what happened, but dude. What happens in this movie is now the new canon. Deal with it. Dig it. Derive pleasure from it. It's all good in the end.
After thinking about it, I decided to take out the spoiler stuff I had written here. They were some pretty major spoilers, and I figured it wasn't worth the risk of someone even accidently seeing them before checking out the flick. Let's just leave it as big things happen in the movie. 'Nuff said.
Prime's Bottom Line - Fuck Enterprise (and the bullshit of losing the Star Trek title, at least when the series started), THIS is the way to REstart, REinvigorate and REnew interest in this property.
I've seen every episode of all the series with the exception of Enterprise. Enterprise rewrote too much of the Star Trek canon, just for the sake of making it new. Unnecessarily, as you will find. I've even read a few of the books. Never gone to one of the conventions with fake pointy ears. Never had to have Shatner tell me to grow up or leave my parents basement. Not a Trekkie, but a Trekker. The distinction in my mind is that it's not the be all end all of my existience, but I do dig most things Trek. I just like good writing, and interesting premises. The acting can be hokey at times, but I enjoy that as well. But, I do believe in the honest purity of what has come before. Han shoots first? That's bullshit. The guys looking for E.T. are carrying flashlights, not guns? Kiss my fat ass. So, the idea of another Trek restart did not sit well with me, as I'm sure it did not sit well with others. But, let's consider another recent restart.
Casino Royale.
To fans of the Bond legacy, the idea of restarting Bond from scratch was anathema. "How dare you erase all that has gone before?" But, Bond started in the SIXTIES. Hit it's stride in the seventies and cruised through the eighties. The nineties saw it as tired. Guess what? Same can be said of another property. And, guess what else?
Casino Royale Rocked to the Prime.
So does the new Trek.
Except, through very inventive writing, and pure Sci-Fi thinking outside the box, everything that has gone before has still gone before. Even though it's a clean start.
What the hell does that mean?
See the movie.
Intrigued? You should be.
Let's get to the non spoiler stuff. JJ Abrams can direct a damn fine action flick. He proved that with Mission Impossible III, and has shown that again here. Once this movie has established the basic plot and gotten the chess pieces into place, it kicks into high gear and doesn't let up until the Coda.
The acting from the Big Seven was fantastic. Loved the new takes on the characters. Oddly, yet correctly, the most in keeping with the original character, and thereby the least impressive to me, was Quinto as Spock. He channeled Nimoy. Karl Urban did an unbelievable homage to DeForest Kelley as Bones, but breathed new life into the character as well. Quinto felt more like mimicry. Not chagrining the potrayal, just saying that the most publicised, (which might be the reason), was the least impressive.
The twists in this movie truly shocked me. I commend them for the balls to do what they did. I kept expecting one of the old Sci-Fi deux es machinas to come in to place to erase what happened, but dude. What happens in this movie is now the new canon. Deal with it. Dig it. Derive pleasure from it. It's all good in the end.
After thinking about it, I decided to take out the spoiler stuff I had written here. They were some pretty major spoilers, and I figured it wasn't worth the risk of someone even accidently seeing them before checking out the flick. Let's just leave it as big things happen in the movie. 'Nuff said.
Prime's Bottom Line - Fuck Enterprise (and the bullshit of losing the Star Trek title, at least when the series started), THIS is the way to REstart, REinvigorate and REnew interest in this property.
Radical Rock’s Review - Batman: The Dark Knight
Thursday, September 04, 2008
The movie is closing in on 500 mil domestic as I write this. It was my hope that it would top 600 and finally take Titanic out of the all-time top spot. If that happens, I'll edit this one last time. If not, this be it.
Dark Kuh-nee-ghit rocked.
The story was great. The opening bank robbery was the perfect way to not only open the movie, but introduce one of the main characters. Each of the characters were given their moment to shine and show who they really were. Even Gotham City as a character was given a moment.
Great action. Great effects.
NO BATNIPPLES!!!
The Ledger thing was weird for me. In what I believe was his best performance, his death kept distracting me. I would sit there in awe at this acting tour de force, and all of a sudden I would think, "Oh yeah. He's dead now." My ADD mindfarts notwithstanding, his take on the Joker was one of the best things about this flick. Super villain as the ultimate anarchist. Beautiful rendition.
I always thought Maggie Gylenhalliglgnalinlag was a weird looking broad. But, I'm SO happy they got her this time around and not Mrs. Cruise. She looked much more like someone Bruce Wayne grew up with instead of someone he picked up in his Batmobile while cruising St. Ignatius' Junior High School for Girls.
Bale was spot on again. But, that voice was a bit much. You want to go gravelly with the Batvoice, but he sounded like that huge rock creature from Never Ending Story.
The rest of the cast was awesome. Easy Reader was amazing. So was Alfie and Drexl Spivey. But, the best character and storyline of the movie for me was that of Harvey Dent/Twoface. Batman and Joker we've seen before. Not quite like this, but we know what we were going to get pretty much. This was the first time we REALLY got the Twoface story on the big screen. This wasn't Billy Dee Williams as Dent or Tommy Lee Jones as Twoface. This was Aaron Eckhart (who?) in a fleshed out story, giving us a full character arch and real depth.
This has been a great summer for superhero flicks. Iron Man. A GOOD Hulk. Indy Jones (I think it's safe to put him in this catergory). A bunch of well received others (Hellboy, Hancock, Wanted). But, Batman was the one the genre was counting on. And, they knocked it out of the park.
Move over Adam West.
Prime's Bottom Line - Michael Caine played Alfie in the 1966 movie of the same name. Morgan Freeman played Easy Reader in the 1970s TV show Electric Company. Gary Oldman played Drexl Spivey in 1993s True Romance. And, now you know...
AND KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE!!!
The movie is closing in on 500 mil domestic as I write this. It was my hope that it would top 600 and finally take Titanic out of the all-time top spot. If that happens, I'll edit this one last time. If not, this be it.
Dark Kuh-nee-ghit rocked.
The story was great. The opening bank robbery was the perfect way to not only open the movie, but introduce one of the main characters. Each of the characters were given their moment to shine and show who they really were. Even Gotham City as a character was given a moment.
Great action. Great effects.
NO BATNIPPLES!!!
The Ledger thing was weird for me. In what I believe was his best performance, his death kept distracting me. I would sit there in awe at this acting tour de force, and all of a sudden I would think, "Oh yeah. He's dead now." My ADD mindfarts notwithstanding, his take on the Joker was one of the best things about this flick. Super villain as the ultimate anarchist. Beautiful rendition.
I always thought Maggie Gylenhalliglgnalinlag was a weird looking broad. But, I'm SO happy they got her this time around and not Mrs. Cruise. She looked much more like someone Bruce Wayne grew up with instead of someone he picked up in his Batmobile while cruising St. Ignatius' Junior High School for Girls.
Bale was spot on again. But, that voice was a bit much. You want to go gravelly with the Batvoice, but he sounded like that huge rock creature from Never Ending Story.
The rest of the cast was awesome. Easy Reader was amazing. So was Alfie and Drexl Spivey. But, the best character and storyline of the movie for me was that of Harvey Dent/Twoface. Batman and Joker we've seen before. Not quite like this, but we know what we were going to get pretty much. This was the first time we REALLY got the Twoface story on the big screen. This wasn't Billy Dee Williams as Dent or Tommy Lee Jones as Twoface. This was Aaron Eckhart (who?) in a fleshed out story, giving us a full character arch and real depth.
This has been a great summer for superhero flicks. Iron Man. A GOOD Hulk. Indy Jones (I think it's safe to put him in this catergory). A bunch of well received others (Hellboy, Hancock, Wanted). But, Batman was the one the genre was counting on. And, they knocked it out of the park.
Move over Adam West.
Prime's Bottom Line - Michael Caine played Alfie in the 1966 movie of the same name. Morgan Freeman played Easy Reader in the 1970s TV show Electric Company. Gary Oldman played Drexl Spivey in 1993s True Romance. And, now you know...
AND KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE!!!
Radical Rock’s Review - Hancock
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
I'm Black.
I do my job but I don't really like it.
Call me that one word that I hate, and I will do something very bad to you.
If I had superpowers, I'd be Hancock.
Okay. Gotta get this outta the way. Hand Cock is the stupidest name for a superhero. Might as well call him Master Bation Boy.
July fourth and Will Smith. Screw what the standard movie reviewer will say about MIB and ID4. Wild Wild West came out on the July fourth weekend, so that axiom means nothing. This however is a flick that skews the ratio in a positive way. Face facts, Will Smith is a majorly personable fellow. And, the malaise of this character needed somebody who could also act.
Eddie Murphy is too old, Kat Williams is too short, Martin Lawrence can't make a good movie unless he's in drag and Dave Chappelle is too...
Damn, that brother is a twig.
Naw. This is all about Will Smith. And, he hits the character right on the nugget. Without him, this movie would have fallen flat. Though the movie has some great laughs (most of which you will probably have seen already in the commercials and trailers, dammit), it is more about the character trying to find his place in the world beyond just the guy who comes to the rescue at the last second. This is Superman turned on it's ear, but in ways you prolly wouldn't have expected. And, that is what elevates this above just standard spoof. It looks for the truth of the character more than the weaknesses we can laugh at.
A good cast. A story that moves in some interesting ways. And, a good amount of fun. Definitely digable.
Prime's Bottom Line - Look at the screen! It's a hit! It's a smash! It's a...
Okay that joke is really starting to suck huge rotten lemons. The movie is good, okay? See it if you can't get in to see Batman II. Or, if you've seen Batman II already. That is all.
I'm Black.
I do my job but I don't really like it.
Call me that one word that I hate, and I will do something very bad to you.
If I had superpowers, I'd be Hancock.
Okay. Gotta get this outta the way. Hand Cock is the stupidest name for a superhero. Might as well call him Master Bation Boy.
July fourth and Will Smith. Screw what the standard movie reviewer will say about MIB and ID4. Wild Wild West came out on the July fourth weekend, so that axiom means nothing. This however is a flick that skews the ratio in a positive way. Face facts, Will Smith is a majorly personable fellow. And, the malaise of this character needed somebody who could also act.
Eddie Murphy is too old, Kat Williams is too short, Martin Lawrence can't make a good movie unless he's in drag and Dave Chappelle is too...
Damn, that brother is a twig.
Naw. This is all about Will Smith. And, he hits the character right on the nugget. Without him, this movie would have fallen flat. Though the movie has some great laughs (most of which you will probably have seen already in the commercials and trailers, dammit), it is more about the character trying to find his place in the world beyond just the guy who comes to the rescue at the last second. This is Superman turned on it's ear, but in ways you prolly wouldn't have expected. And, that is what elevates this above just standard spoof. It looks for the truth of the character more than the weaknesses we can laugh at.
A good cast. A story that moves in some interesting ways. And, a good amount of fun. Definitely digable.
Prime's Bottom Line - Look at the screen! It's a hit! It's a smash! It's a...
Okay that joke is really starting to suck huge rotten lemons. The movie is good, okay? See it if you can't get in to see Batman II. Or, if you've seen Batman II already. That is all.
Radical Rock’s Review - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Monday, June 02, 2008
What the hell took them so long? All those years wasted on Tom Hanks running around an airline terminal, security execs hacking bank computers to save their family, and FUCKING MITICHLORIANS. Finally the big three of the 80's get back together and show everyone else how to make an adventure movie. The John Williams music swells, the hat is picked up and it's time again for cracking whips, daring escapes, incredible chases and lots of people getting punched in the face. NINETEEN YEARS since the last one. If they had kept making one of these every three years, this would have been Indiana Jones NINE. That's five Indy movies we'll never get, just so we could hear some little shit say YIPPEE because a flying sloth told him he could take off early from work. Just so we could watch Leonardo DeCrapio forge checks. Just so we could watch Harrison on a deserted island with ANNE FRIGGIN' HECHE. I'm ticked off about all that lost opportunity because this movie is just That. Damn. Good.
Back in 1981 (when most of your were learning how to crawl, if that) Spielberg, Lucas and Ford got together and created the ultimate summer adventure movie template. Using the Adventure Serials of the early years of movies as their inspiration, an archeologist who carried a whip and a gun was born. Since saving the world from the Nazis, the Thugee cult and the Nazis (again), it seems that Indy became James Bond for a couple of decades (from what little backstory we get). But, things he did during those 19 years drag him into the middle of one more adventure. Though he's a bunch older and has lost a step or two, Indy still has the knowlege, strength and right cross that makes you NOT wanna bet against him.
The movie is pure summer fun. Harrison Ford still has that perfect charm for this character (smirk, smooth line, punch, swing on the whip, smirk, smooth line, etc.). George Lucas shows that he can still come up with great ideas, as long as someone else finishes the work. And, Spielberg...
Heck, we're talking about Spielberg. Even that airport movie was fun to watch.
This is a movie that is more about the Daring Adventure than about the Digital Art. More about the Fun than about the FX. Around the time of Twister and Independence Day filmmakers started losing sight of the heart of great blockbusters. The best moment of Die Hard wasn't the building blowing up, it was Bruce Willis finishing a conversation with "Yippee Kai Yay, Mother Fucker" (maybe that's what little Ani should have said). The effects and action should elevate a movie to blockbuster. But, the movie (characters, story) needs to be there first or else there is nothing to elevate. Spielberg has always shown he knows that. You root for Indy and his little "family" first. The pretty CGI add to that. This movie is just fantastic adventure. Edge of your seat, laugh your ass off, "how the hell did he just do that?" adventure.
Iron Man started this season off right. Indy just made sure it will be a movie summer to remember.
Prime's Bottom Line - 19 years since number 3. Let's see. Next year Back to the Future IV?
What the hell took them so long? All those years wasted on Tom Hanks running around an airline terminal, security execs hacking bank computers to save their family, and FUCKING MITICHLORIANS. Finally the big three of the 80's get back together and show everyone else how to make an adventure movie. The John Williams music swells, the hat is picked up and it's time again for cracking whips, daring escapes, incredible chases and lots of people getting punched in the face. NINETEEN YEARS since the last one. If they had kept making one of these every three years, this would have been Indiana Jones NINE. That's five Indy movies we'll never get, just so we could hear some little shit say YIPPEE because a flying sloth told him he could take off early from work. Just so we could watch Leonardo DeCrapio forge checks. Just so we could watch Harrison on a deserted island with ANNE FRIGGIN' HECHE. I'm ticked off about all that lost opportunity because this movie is just That. Damn. Good.
Back in 1981 (when most of your were learning how to crawl, if that) Spielberg, Lucas and Ford got together and created the ultimate summer adventure movie template. Using the Adventure Serials of the early years of movies as their inspiration, an archeologist who carried a whip and a gun was born. Since saving the world from the Nazis, the Thugee cult and the Nazis (again), it seems that Indy became James Bond for a couple of decades (from what little backstory we get). But, things he did during those 19 years drag him into the middle of one more adventure. Though he's a bunch older and has lost a step or two, Indy still has the knowlege, strength and right cross that makes you NOT wanna bet against him.
The movie is pure summer fun. Harrison Ford still has that perfect charm for this character (smirk, smooth line, punch, swing on the whip, smirk, smooth line, etc.). George Lucas shows that he can still come up with great ideas, as long as someone else finishes the work. And, Spielberg...
Heck, we're talking about Spielberg. Even that airport movie was fun to watch.
This is a movie that is more about the Daring Adventure than about the Digital Art. More about the Fun than about the FX. Around the time of Twister and Independence Day filmmakers started losing sight of the heart of great blockbusters. The best moment of Die Hard wasn't the building blowing up, it was Bruce Willis finishing a conversation with "Yippee Kai Yay, Mother Fucker" (maybe that's what little Ani should have said). The effects and action should elevate a movie to blockbuster. But, the movie (characters, story) needs to be there first or else there is nothing to elevate. Spielberg has always shown he knows that. You root for Indy and his little "family" first. The pretty CGI add to that. This movie is just fantastic adventure. Edge of your seat, laugh your ass off, "how the hell did he just do that?" adventure.
Iron Man started this season off right. Indy just made sure it will be a movie summer to remember.
Prime's Bottom Line - 19 years since number 3. Let's see. Next year Back to the Future IV?
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Say Goodbye to Hollywood, or New York State of Mind?
Well, it's done. I have left the sunny lands of LaLa for the frozen nipples of New York. The great five year experiment has gone bust, and I'm home again. There are many things I'll miss about Cali, but it was definitely time for me to get back to where my heart is. Now comes the fun part of finding a new job again, and starting from scratch again.
In the meantime, I'll just have to while away the time playing WoW until the beta ends. I shant be getting the full retail version until I get my internet access at my new apartment which won't happen until I get a new apartment which won't happen until I get a new job.
Ah, life.
In the meantime, I'll just have to while away the time playing WoW until the beta ends. I shant be getting the full retail version until I get my internet access at my new apartment which won't happen until I get a new apartment which won't happen until I get a new job.
Ah, life.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
So, it's come to this
Guess who gave in his notice at his place of torturous toil?
Little old me, that's who.
Mama Prime's baby boy is heading on back to N.Y. in a couple of weeks. L.A. just hasn't been all that good to me.
So, if you don't mind, I've got an apartment full of stuff I gotta go pack.
Little old me, that's who.
Mama Prime's baby boy is heading on back to N.Y. in a couple of weeks. L.A. just hasn't been all that good to me.
So, if you don't mind, I've got an apartment full of stuff I gotta go pack.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Anachronism
This was sent to everyone in my company today.
"Hello Everyone,
Last year management warned all employees against unauthorized access and usage of the company's computer systems.
Recently, management reviewed the current usage of the company's computer systems to make sure everyone was complying with company rules. Some employees are still engaging in unauthorized usage of the company's computer systems.
Once again, please review and carefully read the employee manual section on Electronic Communications (page 45). Please be informed that management will receive a monthly report on all computer activities in the company. Employees who do not comply with the company rules as stated in your employee policy manual will be subject to disciplinary actions up to, and including, termination.
Thank you very much for your cooperation."
So, needless to say, I won't be able to get online today to post here.
Wait a second...
"Hello Everyone,
Last year management warned all employees against unauthorized access and usage of the company's computer systems.
Recently, management reviewed the current usage of the company's computer systems to make sure everyone was complying with company rules. Some employees are still engaging in unauthorized usage of the company's computer systems.
Once again, please review and carefully read the employee manual section on Electronic Communications (page 45). Please be informed that management will receive a monthly report on all computer activities in the company. Employees who do not comply with the company rules as stated in your employee policy manual will be subject to disciplinary actions up to, and including, termination.
Thank you very much for your cooperation."
So, needless to say, I won't be able to get online today to post here.
Wait a second...
Monday, August 30, 2004
A time to kill... Finally
I know I said it already, but last night felt good. It was just such a joy to be killing with the crew again. As Bill has pointed out, pickup groups can really suck.
As to my AA problem, they tell me it's been rectified. According to Lorrie, the refund has finally gone through as of Friday night. I will not, however, count on that until the cash is actually IN my account. I would call Lorrie a great help in this fiasco, if not for the fact that it is her division of AA (American Airlines Vacations to be exact) that started this clusterfuck to begin with.
As to my AA problem, they tell me it's been rectified. According to Lorrie, the refund has finally gone through as of Friday night. I will not, however, count on that until the cash is actually IN my account. I would call Lorrie a great help in this fiasco, if not for the fact that it is her division of AA (American Airlines Vacations to be exact) that started this clusterfuck to begin with.
Friday, August 27, 2004
Update
I decided to recheck the issue with American Airlines to confirm that they had fixed the "glitch". Seems that they had the same "glitch" again. The computer rejected the refund. What the frag that means is beyond me.
Thankfully (extreme sarcasm here) I spoke to the same helpful gentleman from AA refunds as I did yesterday. His name is Brian. As in alcolohic dog (see Family Guy). After informing me that the same "glitch" has shown up, he tells me that he will take care of it by the end of the day.
This coming from the same guy who insisted that he couldn't help me yesterday because it was an issue to take up with American Airlines Vacations.
I asked him to take care of it while I waited on the line, but he pretty much gave me the brush off, saying he would take care of it and that was all he could do for me.
Mind you, this is the THIRD time that someone has told me that it would be taken care of.
Brian sucks. American Airlines sucks. American Airlines Vacations sucks.
Krypton sucks.
(again, see Family Guy)
This weekend is definitely going to suck, as I have absolutely NO money (700 bucks not being in my account has a little something to do with that), and don't get paid 'til Tuesday. I just love the fact that my company decided to change from weekly payroll to twice monthly.
I have also spoken to Lorrie at American Airlines Vacations. Slightly more helpful than Brian, but at least seemed to be wanting to help. The only added information she was able to give me was that the refund system they have updates overnight, so we won't be able to find out if there is another "glitch" until Monday. She did say that she personally would check on it Monday morning to make sure everything is okay (why someone didn't take that initiative before now is also beyond my comprehension. Great customer "service" AA), and would make sure that if it wasn't that someone would try again to rectify it.
American Airlines is a joke. You'd think that for a business, and especially for one of the main companies, that was just getting back on their feet after what happened in 2001, they'd be a little more proactive in taking care of their customers. That they would try to KEEP customers instead of driving them away.
You'd think that, wouldn't you?
Thankfully (extreme sarcasm here) I spoke to the same helpful gentleman from AA refunds as I did yesterday. His name is Brian. As in alcolohic dog (see Family Guy). After informing me that the same "glitch" has shown up, he tells me that he will take care of it by the end of the day.
This coming from the same guy who insisted that he couldn't help me yesterday because it was an issue to take up with American Airlines Vacations.
I asked him to take care of it while I waited on the line, but he pretty much gave me the brush off, saying he would take care of it and that was all he could do for me.
Mind you, this is the THIRD time that someone has told me that it would be taken care of.
Brian sucks. American Airlines sucks. American Airlines Vacations sucks.
Krypton sucks.
(again, see Family Guy)
This weekend is definitely going to suck, as I have absolutely NO money (700 bucks not being in my account has a little something to do with that), and don't get paid 'til Tuesday. I just love the fact that my company decided to change from weekly payroll to twice monthly.
I have also spoken to Lorrie at American Airlines Vacations. Slightly more helpful than Brian, but at least seemed to be wanting to help. The only added information she was able to give me was that the refund system they have updates overnight, so we won't be able to find out if there is another "glitch" until Monday. She did say that she personally would check on it Monday morning to make sure everything is okay (why someone didn't take that initiative before now is also beyond my comprehension. Great customer "service" AA), and would make sure that if it wasn't that someone would try again to rectify it.
American Airlines is a joke. You'd think that for a business, and especially for one of the main companies, that was just getting back on their feet after what happened in 2001, they'd be a little more proactive in taking care of their customers. That they would try to KEEP customers instead of driving them away.
You'd think that, wouldn't you?
I'd rather fly on the giant pterodactyl from The Flinstones.
So, I went to Barbados about a couple of weeks ago for a family wedding. It was a great time, but...
When I got to LAX to catch the 11:55 p.m. flight with a stopover in San Juan, I was informed that they didn't have a record of my tickets being paid for. They had the reservation okay, but NO payment. The lady (she did try to help) attempted to get someone on the phone to work the situation out, but as this was Thursday, August 12th, the day before Hurricane Charlie was to hit Florida with such a vengeance, we were put on hold for a while. Eventually, I just said, "Let me just pay for the tickets again, and I'll work this out tomorrow." I kinda wanted to get my vacation up and running. Well, after paying the 7 hundred+ and checking my bag, I up and ran to the gate only to find out that in the interim between me finding out about the problem and trying to circumvent said problem, they had given my seat away.
I was 7 hours sitting in LAX waiting for the next plane out.
I called my travel agent (never used one before this trip, never will use one again), explained my situation to him, and (firmly) instructed him to correct the situation by the time I got to my stopover...
...which was now to be in Miami...
...with the hurricane coming.
When I got to Miami, I called my TA again. He let me know that he had contacted the hotel and car service in Barbados to let them know that I would be getting in later, and the wedding party so they would know that I wouldn't be able to make the rehearsal dinner that night. He also let me know that American Airlines Vacations admitted their COLLOSAL FRAG-UP, and were bumping me up to first class for the remainder of my trip, sending me a voucher for my troubles, and (of course) refunding the SECOND payment I had made for the flight. Luckily (for me at least, though I'm sure those who got hit couldn't care less about my trivial problems), Miami is on the East coast of Florida, and Charlie decided to hit the West coast. So, the second leg of my flight went off fine, albeit 8 hours later than it should have been (a longer layover in Miami added to the 7 hours delay from my first reserved flight).
That should be the end of the story, shouldn't it?
My 700+ bones was supposed to be refunded to me the next day.
I got back to L.A. on the 18th.
The second payment for the flight had been swiftly taken out of my account, but no refund was posted.
I called my TA again to find out what was going on. He told me that he had the refund receipt in front of him, and he faxed it to me, so the refund was official and was on the way. Right?
A week later and I still haven't gotten the refund. So, I called American Airlines refund department yesterday to find out what the bloody hell was going on. They inform me that the computer rejected the refund.
Yeah. It was the computer's fault.
The "helpful" fellow at the AA refund department tells me that because the original error was due to American Airlines Vacations, that I had to call them to rectify this FURTHER COLLOSAL FRAG-UP. I didn't call AA vacations. I called my TA, and instructed him (how I continue to talk to this guy without a torrent of expletives eludes me) to take care of this mound of turtle crap.
He called me back about 20 minutes later to tell me that AA has corrected the "computer glitch" (that's exactly what he said they called it. A "glitch"), and that I should have my refund in the next couple of days.
I'm still waiting for my refund.
Next time I go to Barbados, I'm walking.
When I got to LAX to catch the 11:55 p.m. flight with a stopover in San Juan, I was informed that they didn't have a record of my tickets being paid for. They had the reservation okay, but NO payment. The lady (she did try to help) attempted to get someone on the phone to work the situation out, but as this was Thursday, August 12th, the day before Hurricane Charlie was to hit Florida with such a vengeance, we were put on hold for a while. Eventually, I just said, "Let me just pay for the tickets again, and I'll work this out tomorrow." I kinda wanted to get my vacation up and running. Well, after paying the 7 hundred+ and checking my bag, I up and ran to the gate only to find out that in the interim between me finding out about the problem and trying to circumvent said problem, they had given my seat away.
I was 7 hours sitting in LAX waiting for the next plane out.
I called my travel agent (never used one before this trip, never will use one again), explained my situation to him, and (firmly) instructed him to correct the situation by the time I got to my stopover...
...which was now to be in Miami...
...with the hurricane coming.
When I got to Miami, I called my TA again. He let me know that he had contacted the hotel and car service in Barbados to let them know that I would be getting in later, and the wedding party so they would know that I wouldn't be able to make the rehearsal dinner that night. He also let me know that American Airlines Vacations admitted their COLLOSAL FRAG-UP, and were bumping me up to first class for the remainder of my trip, sending me a voucher for my troubles, and (of course) refunding the SECOND payment I had made for the flight. Luckily (for me at least, though I'm sure those who got hit couldn't care less about my trivial problems), Miami is on the East coast of Florida, and Charlie decided to hit the West coast. So, the second leg of my flight went off fine, albeit 8 hours later than it should have been (a longer layover in Miami added to the 7 hours delay from my first reserved flight).
That should be the end of the story, shouldn't it?
My 700+ bones was supposed to be refunded to me the next day.
I got back to L.A. on the 18th.
The second payment for the flight had been swiftly taken out of my account, but no refund was posted.
I called my TA again to find out what was going on. He told me that he had the refund receipt in front of him, and he faxed it to me, so the refund was official and was on the way. Right?
A week later and I still haven't gotten the refund. So, I called American Airlines refund department yesterday to find out what the bloody hell was going on. They inform me that the computer rejected the refund.
Yeah. It was the computer's fault.
The "helpful" fellow at the AA refund department tells me that because the original error was due to American Airlines Vacations, that I had to call them to rectify this FURTHER COLLOSAL FRAG-UP. I didn't call AA vacations. I called my TA, and instructed him (how I continue to talk to this guy without a torrent of expletives eludes me) to take care of this mound of turtle crap.
He called me back about 20 minutes later to tell me that AA has corrected the "computer glitch" (that's exactly what he said they called it. A "glitch"), and that I should have my refund in the next couple of days.
I'm still waiting for my refund.
Next time I go to Barbados, I'm walking.
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