You are viewing [info]jthai1138's journal

Previous 10

Jul. 31st, 2011

Thank you Livejournal!

Three years!

I first started blogging since 2009 and had kept my word with not being too political and not being too personal. It's a great way to sort out my thoughts and record down cool geeky things that I might forget. Livejournal has been a great help but, I'm going to mainly be on Blogger now. Thank you for all the fun Livejournal! I'm not abandoning this site, just trying out new venues. Check out my new geek outlet on GroggyBot:

Posted at 03:31 pm | | Leave a comment | 6 comments | Add to Memories | Share

Jul. 23rd, 2011

Ronald Jenkees

Hello Youtubes!
There's a lot of crap out there on the internet and especially youtube but, it's always a pleasure and awesome to find videos like Ronald Jenkees music.  Check out these two great videos.  The first one is a remix of the Rocky Theme.  The second is a pretty cool original beat called Throwing FIre. 

You can also subscribe to his channel here: 
Ronald Jenkees

Rocky Theme: Flying High Remix

Tags: , ,

Posted at 07:26 pm | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Share

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2


  
 
10 years!  I'd waited 10 years to start reading the Harry Potter books!  Now, after watching Death Hollows Part 2, I can finally do so!  Whenever my friends ask me if I had ever read the books, I'd tell them that I enjoy the movies so much I don't want to read them yet, they'd give me a "what a psycho" look because, as we now know, it's a 10 year wait (before movie 7 was announced we didn't know how long the wait would've been).  I assure you!  There is reason to my madness.  I didn't want to know anything about the story before heading into each film.  It made the reveals so much more head explodey fun!  You see, I love the Lord of the Rings books, I'd read J.R.R Tolkien's work and knew a lot about Middle Earth before watching the movies.  Even though, I was surprised by the excellence of the Lord of the Rings movies, I felt like an oracle watching them.  It took away from the fun of not knowing.  I've been on this journey with Harry, Ron and Hermione for 10 years.  It is great how the actors of the Harry Potter movies had been kept consistent.  It's incredible to see them grow as actors while bringing maturity and complexity to their characters.  Because of the consistency of each movie, I feel as though I'd attended Hogwarts and every movie is a reunion.  An amazing feat by the film makers to draw such an emotion from the audience.

   
 
If you haven't watched the last 7 Harry Potter movies, you will definitely be lost with Deathly Hollows Part 2.  I highly recommend watching the rest of the series before going into this one.  The plot points, twists and fan service is superbly done throughout the span of 8 movies and all of it culminates in this last installment.  Having consistent actors throughout kept with the continuity and emotional attachment.  The first 2 movies were aimed towards children.  They were a little rough but at the same time, pretty fun and entertaining.  Also, they are essential watch!  A lot of foreshadowing done with mastery of subtlety.  I wanted to marathon the previous 7 movies before watching Deathly Hollows Part 2 but, I only had time for the first two movies (the Sorcerer's Stone and the Chamber of Secrets).  I am so glad I did.  Most of the story elements in the beginning of the series comes back around to some pretty awesome payoffs in movie 8.  One of the more excellent poetic moments in the series was when Harry stood up to Draco Malfoy for Neville Longbottom in the first movie then, in return, Neville stands up to Voldemort for Harry and the rest of Hogwarts in movie 8.  Neville kicks all sorts of ass!  Aside from the main characters, he has a very interesting development.  Neville is one of the many inspired story points in the Harry Potter series.

   
 
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2 is a fitting end to a long running film series.  A monumental accomplishment given the time span it took and the commitment from the actors, the creative team, and the movie studio.  I had complained plenty about Warner Bros. Studious but, this time I have to give them praise for sticking with the Harry Potter story and trusting the creative team.  Most important of all, J.K. Rowling's ideas and advise were taken into account and it resulted in an epic that is second to none in quality and size.  I am not discounting the other excellent movie series such as the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars (original) but, they do not have the same movie count and consistency of Harry Potter.  The Chronicles of Narnia comes close but, they cannot escape the dreaded wrath of the Movie Executives.  Nothing so far is like Harry Potter.  Eight movies with maniacal attention to detail, a flowing continuity and great chemistry with a huge ensemble of actors.  I guess I'm not just recommending Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2 but, I am also recommending the entire series.  Words does it no justice.  I can't convey the emotions I felt while watching this last installment.  When the credits rolled the entire theater cheered and there was a standing ovation.  I'd only experienced this twice before at the movies.  The first was at Return of the Jedi and the other at Return of the King.  Astonishing, fantastic, excellent, awesome... MAGICAL!  I'm going back for a second viewing soon.

    

   

   
 
RATING:
5/5 as an individual movie but
12/5 as the ending of a series (5 points plus 1 point from each previous movie)
 
Voldemort DEMANDS 12/5!
Tags: , ,

Posted at 06:52 pm | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Share

Jul. 18th, 2011

ConnectiCon 2011

Echoes
ConnectiCon happened on July 8-10, 2011 but, I didn't have a chance to post about it until now.  A few unfortunate things happened in my life that got in the way of posting and also Livejournal messed up on saving my draft.  Well, with anything in life we can't give up and got to keep trying.  Even if it means trying to write poorly and posting about something that maybe no one will read.  Even so, I'm still glad that I found this inspiration.  It's events and conventions like ConnectiCon that fuels me.  I am happy to have found a place where I can geek out with people who shares the same passion for Doctor Who, Firefly or the X-Files.  A place where I can talk art with accomplished artists.  A place where I can interact with all my inspired cosplay friends.  Their enthusiasm is just boundless.  Also, most important of all, it's a place where I can embrace my "weirdness" without people ridiculing me.  The echoes left behind by people such as  J.R.R. Tolkien, Rod Serling, and Gene Roddenberry echoes through the halls and the minds in these conventions and that my friend is a happy wondrous thing.  

(But what is not happy and wondrous is Livejournal.  This post is a cursed post.  This is the 8th time I'm trying to post this.  Some how, there is a hot key I'm hitting that is making the page jump backwards and I keep losing what I've been trying to post. I refuse to give up! Death Bed!) 

Artists!
These are some of the artists I met.  I wish I can do art like these guys!
I've learned of Echo through a new friend I met at Connecticon and I'm fortunate to have done so.  Just click on her name above to go to her site and you can see why.  Echo also did the cover to the ConnectiCon program book.
Philip impressed me with his use of negative space with his ink work.  I had an insightful conversation with him and Chelsie Sachs Mishalanie about the new technology of pens and how they are compared to the old style of inkwell pens.  I was brought up in the old school way of the inkwell pens.  Hell, I don't even remember what they are called.  Most art suppliers don't even sell them anymore.  Philip Owen is very nice and very enthusiastic about the convention.  I often see him in the convention halls and at the vendors' area.


When I first saw Chelsea she was wearing a Finn hat.  She looked so cute in it I had to ask her where she's got it.  Turns out Chelsea made the hat herself.  She was sitting next to Philip Owen and they were nice enough to show me all the new different type of inking and coloring pens.  I have to get out of the dark ages and start living in the 21st century.  Click on Chelsea's name above to link to her web comic.
This Dr. Chaos piece jumped out at me as I was walking by Jack Parro's table.  I asked if he could personlize it for me.  I wanted to give it to my sister with the message, "Screw the Raccoon and friends!"  As he wrote "Raccoon."  We realized that it was "Coon" instead.  He was nice enough to get another print for me without charge.  Check out his art on DeviantArt by clicking on his name
Luke used to work at a comic bookstore.  He had a vision and decided to follow his dream.  Now, he's a guest artist at ConnectiCon.  Very inspiring.
Super Art Fight is one of the main events at ConnectiCon.  It's a road show of artists battling each other.  No words can do it justice.  You just got to go watch it for yourself.  I highly recommend the show.   Check out the youtube video for an idea of what the Super Art Fight is about:


Some of the Super Art Fight artists I met.
The winner of the Super Art Fight main event against the bearded titan, Lar deSouza.  Yuko's "Sadsharks" were invincible.  No matter how Lar attacked the "Sadsharks" they'd just get more pathetic.  Especially with Lar's Ranbow Brite shooting rainbow happiness at them.  Click on Yuko's name to check out her webcomic Jonny Wander.
Lar entered the contest on the wake of Nasa's last shuttle launch.  He brought all that space fuel awesomeness with him and attacked Yuko Ota with lightening fast wizardry.  He even picked up Yuko and used her as pen!  But he could not defeat Yuko's "Sadshark."  A great and memorable fight! Lar, you are one of my heroes.
He ignored all the subjects given to him during the battle royale and just drew mustaches.  Which I thought was a bold and class move.  The majority of the audience didn't think so.
 
One of the battle royale participants.  He has good in humor in his work but just couldn't beat out the three artists who already established themselves on the canvas.  I was hoping he'd be a finalist.  Battle royale?  Four artists on one Canvas?  Don't know what I'm talking about?  Go check out Super Art Fight when it shows up in your town! 


Movies
Wow!  It's tough for me to put in words about Death Kappa.  It's a kaiju movie from Japan.  It's full of all the kaiju silliness and cheese.  Which makes it hilarious and somewhat endearing.  That's if you can look pass the cheese.  ConnectiCon had viewing rooms to view movies.  The latest Evangelion movies were on the list.  I couldn't make it to those but I did make it to Death Kappa.  I'm glad I sat in on the Death Kappa viewing but, do I want to watch it again?  I have to think about that.

 

The Panels






Doctor Who & A: Is There A Doctor In The House?
This is the first panel I sat in. I got there late and sat right next to the door.  A few minutes into the panel the Tardis came in through the door.  I guess I can say I got close and personal with Sexy.  Bow chica chica wow wow!  The most electrifying thing during the panel was when someone asked the panelists (specifically the Doctors) which incarnation of the Master was their favorite.  The 10th Doctor started the John Saxon beat and the whole room joined in.  It was amazing a room full of people pounding their feet to the John Saxon beat.  Felt like I was at the TD Garden during a Celtics Game.



Serenity Found
This panel is about the short lived show, Firefly.  It was ran by Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe.  She talked in depth about the crew the of Serenity.  What they represented and how they benefit each other as family on the firefly class ship.  A very interesting panel that was made super special when someone with a guitar and the whole audience kicked off the panel with the "Ballad of Serenity."



I Want To Believe
This panel is about the mythology on the X-Files. It was also ran by Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe.  Just like the Serenity Found panel, Sarah is very insightful and had a lot of interesting points.  It was also intriguing that the audience shared some of their paranormal and mythological insights.  Just like the Serenity Found panel, time flew during the I Want To Believe panel.  These 2 are the most interesting panels I'd been to yet.


Adventure Time!
The cosplays are always the best part of conventions.
                            

        

      

      

                      

                      

                  

                 

      

             

                     

      

                        

      

                            

     

                        

     

                       


Tags: , , , ,

Posted at 12:43 am | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Share

Jul. 13th, 2011

Who's in the Forest Without River


 
Anyone suffering from Doctor Who withdrawal? I am and, so are these fans.  We are all awaiting the Doctor's return on September 3, 2011 but, The Doctor Who Fan Orchestra sends out a world wide invitation to celebrate Doctor Who with music .  This rendition of the 11th Doctor's theme, "I Am the Doctor," gave me a grin and maybe a tear.  No, I will never admit to crying!
Tags: ,

Posted at 11:06 pm | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Share

Jul. 6th, 2011

Horrible Bosses

Summer Movies

How well do you like your job?  Good benefits?  You're in control of your work?  Free will?  No?  Is it your boss' fault?  Do you think your life would be much better with your boss out of the picture?  Then change jobs!  What's the matter?  There are no other jobs out there other then the ones starting with the letters "H" and "B."  I guess your stuck.  Or are you?


Have you ever imagined an argument with your boss?  At first, it's just defensive.  No one can blame you.  Hmm... maybe if you go on the offensive your coworkers will commend you for having balls.  Then again, if you punch your boss out you'll get applauded!  Ooo!  He just makes me so mad!  I'm going smash a CRT monitor on his head!  My coworkers will throw a parade for me!  They'll even bake a cake!  And that cute girl who works in the other department will ask me to take her out to dinner!  JT!  JT!  JT!  Sigh... it's only a dream.  No one uses CRT monitors anymore...


I guess, in reality I'll get thrown in jail and become some guy's girl friend and my job WILL begin with the letters "H" and "B."  In the movie Horrible Bosses Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman), Dale Arbus (Charlie Day) and Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudekis) goes one step further and actually hires someone (Jamie Foxx) to help them kill their bosses.  Kevin Spacey does a terrific job being the evil, scum of the earth Dave Harken (Nick's Boss).  He is not without his problems but there really is no reason to feed crap to Nick 8 days a week.  The other bosses are played by Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston.  Both effectively portraying different archetypes of work place hell fiends who are due for a karmatic bite in the ass (not the type Jennifer Aniston's character wants).


Horrible Bosses is directed by Seth Gordon who previously directed King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters and a couple of the current comedies on TV:  The Office, Community and Modern Family.  Steve Wiebe from King of Kong even makes a cameo.  The comedi timing, editing and some of the sight gags are spot on and hilarious coupled with some of the funniest writing.  The screenplay was done by Michael Markowitz, Jonathan M. Goldstein and John Francis Daley.  You might remember John Francis Daley as Sam Weir from Freaks and Geeks and as Dr. Lance Sweets on Bones.  He even makes a small appearance in Horrible Bosses.  This is one of the funniest movies I've watched this year.  The running gags has rewarding payoffs and there are hilarious unexpected sight gags and sharp dialog. Maybe Horrible Bosses was super funny to me because it hits very close to home.  If that's the case, I'm not the only one.  A theater full of people were convulsing with laughter.  One guy was choking from laughter and one of the theater staff thought he might needed medical attention.  It was a good thing he stopped chocking and didn't die.  I'm glad he was was able to finish the movie which was met with applause (the movie not the guy).  I highly recommend Horrible Bosses.  It's a fresh departure (like Super 8) from the action and super hero movies that are out there right now.  Compared to Bad Teacher (which I also liked) Horrible Bosses is the funnier movie.



RATING:
5/5

I just realized this is the first review posted on the site before the movie is released.  Horrible Bosses comes out on July 8th, 2011.
Tags:

Posted at 12:32 am | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Share

Jul. 3rd, 2011

Happy Birthday Terminator 2!

Happy 4th Everyone!
 

On July 3rd, Terminator 2: Judgement Day will be 20 years old.  It is still the best Terminator movie and arguably one of the best movies ever made.  Back in 1991 we were all amazed by the extraordinary special effects, awed by the pulse pounding music and astonished by James Cameron's direction.  20 years later, T2 more than just holds up well, it still kicks ass!  Trust me...
 

On the surface T2 is an action movie pumped full of adrenaline but, there are also dramatic and philosophical layers to James Cameron's and William Wisher Jr.'s screenplay which makes this movie so engaging. 
 

Two decades ago, T2 blew away my 15 year old mind and invigorated my interest in Sci Fi.  It was because of this I started reading Harlan Ellison (and other Sci Fi writers).  At the time, I didn't know that there was a lawsuit against the first Terminator movie filed by Harlan Ellison.  He accused James Cameron of plagiarism.  Terminator shares a lot of similarities with Harlan Ellison's short story (and Outer Limits episode), Demon with a Glass Hand.  It was ironic for me in a way.
 
Follow the link below the first part of the Outer Limit's episode of:
 

The lawsuit resulted in Harlan Ellison being credited in the first Terminator.  This was not the only time  James Cameron was accused of plagiarism.  Did he really steal someone else's story or was Harlan Ellison being an ass?  I guess the lawsuit settlement answered that question but, still... I give credit to James Cameron for filming T2 and made it into a super entertaining movie with a lot of heart.
 

July 3, 1991 will always be a special day for me.  20 years ago, I was with a great group of friends and we all chose the right movie to watch at the right time and place.  What would have happened if we chose to watch Child's Play 3 instead?  I'm glad we didn't because ever since, my life has been strangely connected to T2 and that certain day.  Don't worry, I won't bore you with my weird stories though.
 

I also won't bore you with more praise and analysis for T2.  I'm sure you must have already  heard a lot about the movie.  Well, maybe someday I'll break down T2 and analyze it.  I can't help it, I love the movie and I'm a nerd!  I also don't want to hype the movie up too much.  Too late?  I hope not.  If you haven't already watched T2, just remember it's not godly ti's only a movie (despite what James Cameron believes).  Only a movie, only a great movie!  Ok, I'll stop.
 

For almost 20 years I'd been watching Terminator 2: Judgement Day during Independence Day holiday on whichever latest media format it's available in.  I invite all of you to enjoy this moment in time with me.  Put in the Blu Ray or, DVD, or even the VHS version and let's travel back in time to 1991and prevent Judgement Day.


It's Nothing Personal.


RATING:
10/5
(I REALLY like this movie)
Tags: , ,

Posted at 12:00 am | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Share

Jun. 22nd, 2011

Conan... That's it?

"How many names do I need?"

Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Cimmerian
King Conan
Conan O'Brien
Conan the Dothraki Chieftain


I just found out that Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) the Dothraki Chieftain in HBO's Game of Thrones will be Conan.  Also, Hellboy (Ron Perlman) will also be in the 2011 version of Conan the Barbarian.  If you're wondering why I'm excited about Jason Momoa being Conan, check this clip out:



Crom, I have never prayed to you before.  I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad.  Why we fought, or why we died.  All that matters is please don't let this movie suck.  That's what's important!  Valor please you, Crom... so grant me one request.  Grant me another good Conan movie!  And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!!!
Tags:

Posted at 03:27 pm | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Share

Jun. 18th, 2011

Fast Five

Summer Movies

 
I guess it would have been helpful if I posted this when the movie was still in the theaters but, you can always decide if you want to rent or buy the video based on my opinion.  If so, thanks for reading!  Personally, I'll be buying the Blu Ray.  Fast Five supposedly kicked off the summer movies successfully.  Even though it came out on April 29th which, technically wasn't in the summer.  Regardless, it was a very fun and entertaining movie.

All the principal characters (except for Letty) from the previous Fast and Furious movies shows up in this one, plus THE ROCK!  Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson plays Luke Hobbs, a jacked up federal agent on the hunt for Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) and their crew.  The story is simple which doesn't boggle down the action.  What really impressed me (besides the cars, action and Gal Gadot) were the character development shown through action and simple dialog.  This kinetic way of story telling reminds me of the 90's Hong Kong movies.  Justin Lin did a great job directing.  The action scenes were loud and full of fun mayhem.  The heist near the end was fast paced destruction at it's finest.  You do have to suspend your disbelief at times and not ask "how."  Especially when Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson crashes through concrete walls.

If you like the Fast and Furious series or even just one of the movies, you will like Fast Five.  If you haven't seen any of the movies yet, give Fast Five a chance.  You don't really need to watch the rest in the series to enjoy this one but, it does explain some of the character relationships though.  Honestly, I don't remember much from Too Fast, Too Furious and Tokyo Drift.  This latest installment turned the genre of the series from racing to heist.  My favorite heist movie since the Italian Job.  I also get giddy (yes giddy) when the performance cars showed up (one of the reasons why I like the series).  But do you know what else in Fast Five is more beautiful than the cars?  Gal Gadot!  WOW!  I want to watch every movie she is in.  Hey, sorry girls but, believe it or not, the ladies get more eye candy in Fast FIve than the guys:  Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Sung Kang, Tyrese Gibbons...





Rating:
4/5
Tags: ,

Posted at 07:20 pm | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Share

Super 8

Summer Movies

 
Super 8 is a throwback to the old Steven Spielberg summer blockbusters such as Jaws and E.T.  The title of the movie refers to the super 8mm camera which was used to film home movies during the 80's.  The premise of Super 8 is about a group of kids from blue colored families shooting a zombie movie.  At least, that is the surrounding plot.  During their filming, something strange happens to their town of Lilian which involves their science teacher and the Airforce.  After a mysterious train crash the town suffers from black outs, missing dogs and missing people.

Super 8 starts off with the death of the main character's (Joe Lamb) mother.  This sets up the tone and motivation of the characters and helps the audience's involvement with the emotional hook at the end.  The child actors in Super 8 does a pretty good job.  They are very entertaining which reminds me of the 80's child actors (Goonies, E.T., Stand by Me).  The one young actor who really stood out was Elle Fanning.  She plays Alice Dainard, a troubled kid with an alcoholic father.  Joel Courtney also does a good job with his role as the brooding and eventually, heroic Joel Lamb. 

Directed and written by J.J. Abrams the supernatural element of Super 8 was pretty cool.  I don't want to give too much away but, Abrams couples the 80's direction and pacing with modern day effects in a happy marriage.  The mystery surrounding the film did not slow down the pace at all.  The plot of the movie was surrounded by the kid film makers' antics and they kept the movie interesting with their unbridled enthusiasm and fearful personal conflicts.  There is nothing scarier in life than being mistreated or neglected when you are child.  And of course there are signature Abrams lens flare.  I highly recommend Super 8.  It fits along with the whole summer popcorn movie aspect and at times, I feel as though I'm back in the 80's.  Keep an eye out for all the collectibles the kids have in their rooms.  Also, be sure to stay during the credits in order to enjoy the rest of the zombie movie.

 


Rating:
4/5 
Tags: , ,

Posted at 06:07 pm | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Share

Previous 10