These particular IPs are excellent examples where identity changes can work with the story, not against it. Regardless of the setting, there’s an established plot-line/lore on the hows and whys of a character’s identity is altered in one form or another. Not some moot studio decision being thrown in as a crutch for said studio to change characters’ identities out of nowhere. But actual narrative driven subplots that effects the story and characters. Not to mention they’re part of the setting(s). Characters going through these changes actually effects them physically, emotionally and psychologically. And you can see/feel it weighing a toll on them. Changes to these character that have a lasting effect throughout the stories.

Blindness: This has to be the first movie I've ever rage quit in history. I mean I've watched shitty movies but never once I just full stop in the middle of watching them. This movie is fucking depressing, degrading and wholly inhumane. Whatever message or point this movie was trying to convey it missed it by ten city blocks. There's just nothing redeemable with any of the characters and the government is run by assholes.

Birds of Prey Trailer

I had to Wikipedia this movie just to figure out who these other characters are. That's a complete fail if I had look up these characters instead of easily recognize them on the spot. At first glance it's like Harley abducted a bunch of randos off the street.

If it weren't for the crossbow I'd never recognize that was Huntress instead of some random biker chick. The actress playing Montoya looks old enough to be someone's mom in a soap opera. Unless Montoya's a commissioner in this movie I'm not buying it. Cassandra Cain is reduced to a token Asian who's not a mute. Accuracy, what is that? And Black Canary is black, because screw bringing in existing black characters, right? That would involve studios to not be so lazy and giving a shit.

My Thoughts on Netflix The Umbrella Academy

I wanna say my peace about the show and just forget about it all together. Now I understand there are people who've enjoyed the show and they have every right to. I'm not trying to change everyone's mind and I'm not expecting anyone to agree with me.

I love the comic series and when it was announced that a live action is coming to Netflix I was really excited for it. But after seeing the trailer, the promo picture and only watched two episodes that excitement changed into disappointment. I understand that most adaptations have some changes from the source material to better flow/pace the story/plot. But with this show it's like they had a foundation for a good adaptation yet decided to breakdown that said foundation and build something completely different in story and aesthetics. All the strange and unique look from the comic was just nowhere to be found in the show.

I just see no point in finish watching this show at all.

Full of Potential Disappointment

This is making me cry and not in a good way and more than likely going to be face palming so hard when watching the series. Now that I've re-read the comic series I'm just disappointed by the show's take on designs of the main characters. Spaceboy looks like an obvious scrawny guy in an obvious muscle/prosthetic suit in obvious bulky clothes. Kraken looks like a golden age Batman henchman that even Batman wouldn't remember who this guy is. And I don't know what they're going with on Séance but I'm sure it's gonna be offensive and tokenized.

And of course they've racebend one of the main characters. Because whatever helps a creative studio to excuse their laziness by throwing "progressive" and "diversity" around like used condoms at prom.

My Problem with Identity-bending Established Characters

I'm not an advocate of race/gender/sexual orientation-bending established characters. Mainly because it doesn't have a narrative affect on the characters or the overall story. There's a difference between changing characters' identity based on cosmetic decisions and changing characters' identity based on the decisions of the plot/story. The problem is most creative studios would change characters based on the former category. If a character's identify is changed for the sake of just changing said character then there's a possibility this decision won't make the character any better. An identity change of a character holds no baring if there's not any narrative reasons for it. If there's not a plot point that results a character going through dramatic changes that affects them throughout the story then these changes mean nothing. Or even worst, a character's identity is changed to the point of being a token stereotype.

Good example of identity-bending in a narrative fashion is a Netflix show called Altered Carbon where the concept of "stacks" and "sleeves" is established. Furthermore, it has established that people can place their stack (their consciousness) into different race, gender and age of sleeves (synthetic human bodies). Therefore, the identity change of  Takeshi Kovacs from Asian to white makes sense to the story. Rather than having the main protagonist being Asian in one episode then magically being a white guy in the next.      

Also I'm rather tired of people getting excited about how "progressive" these studios are all because they did a simple identity-bending on characters. You do realize that the reason they identity-bend characters is because... A. It's a lot cheaper for them to do than just create new characters/IPs. B. They don't wanna take risks of creating new characters/IPs. Or (optional) C. They're just really lazy to make new characters/IPs. Take points A and B, why else is there so many reboots/remakes in movies, comics and cartoons? Because it helps studios save money while making profit from reused IPs.

After A Long Dead Silence

Hey everyone so I've been gone for two years and for good reasons. Firstly I've been very productive with my webcomics to the point that reviewing movies was sorta in the way. More so, the process of writing a film review were getting a bit too lengthy for me. So this does mean I'm no longer doing film reviews, however, I am returning with something completely different. Something that'll let say won't take too long within the writing process. So there's something to look forward to real soon, stay tuned.

New Years Eve Review 2015

Project Almanac: It was decent, almost had a Chronicle vibe but still stands on its merits.

Kingsman: The Secret Service: Rather entertaining, silly at times but very entertaining. Also I'm giving the movie credit for introducing by far the most awesome character I've ever seen.

The Lazarus Effect: Although the movie would've been a little better without the predictable jump-scares it wasn't too bad. Originally I figured from the trailer where this movie was going but it proved me wrong, good job movie.

Chappie: I kept getting a Short Circuit vibe when watching this movie but I think it's a little better than Short Circuit with far more drama and realism.

Unfriended: Meh

Avengers Age of Ultron: Cut to the chase it's awesome go see it. Now there's scene at the end that had me at nerd-rage. This is not spoiler and this is not me hating on it nor implying that it ruins the movie because again it's awesome.
WHY, GODDAMN IT WHY COULDN'T THEY LET CAPT SAY THE LINE?! THEY HAD TO CUT TO BLACK IN THE MIDDLE OF CAPT SAYING THE LINE! JUST....JUST.....JUST......AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Now again the movie was awesome.

Jurassic World: First off this was an entertaining movie; not as epic as the first one but far better than the third.
And now a pro tip to current and future filmmakers, if you're gonna have an a**hole character in your give us a reason they're an a**hole. Don't have them be that way for the sake of it and then force the audience to care for them. Also don't introduce a sub-plot that won't have a conclusion at the end.

Terminator Genisys: it's OK, although it could do without the scene after the end-credits.

Ant Man: Really good, not once it didn't disappoint. I was really impress with the de-aging effect on Michael Douglas; a nice step up from Tron Legacy.

Star Wars The Force Awakens: Up two thumbs this movie I give.

Happy New Year

Everyone IS ready for a female superhero movie but everyone ISN’T ready for is a piss-poorly made one.

I’m probably gonna get a lot of hate from what I’m about to say, but I gotta say it. People are complaining about why aren’t there any female superhero movies (specifically from Marvel and DC). But frankly I think their complaints are far misplaced; what they should be complaining is why there aren’t any GOOD female superhero movies. I mean I’m all for a Black Widow movie or a Wonder Woman movie or a Power Girl movie or (possibly) a Wasp movie. But more importantly I’m all for a GOOD Black Widow movie and a GOOD Wonder Woman movie and a GOOD Wasp movie. Because let’s be honest movies like Supergirl (1984) and Catwoman (starting Halle Berry) were ungodly terrible whether in writing or the acting. What bothers me is that people has this go to explanation of why there aren’t any female superhero movies or why people don’t like them is because “oh well people just aren’t ready for a female superhero movie”. Which I respectfully disagree with that shallow explanation. Everyone IS ready for a female superhero movie but everyone ISN’T ready for is a piss-poorly made one. So whenever a female superhero movie comes around it’ll have the same probabilities of sucking as do any male superhero movie. Not because “people aren’t ready for a female superhero” but because of how the writing is or what direction of the movie is going or what it’s doing.

Jonathan's Run

So I've watched Logan's Run the other day and how fitting it would be to do a piece for my 30th Birthday. Enjoy, Runner.

New Years Eve Review 2014

It's been a rough year but I got to see as much as I can.

Big Hero 6: It's the second movie that made me cry (the first being Wreck It Ralph). Good movie.

Only Lovers Left Alive: I'm still geeking out about a movie that has vampire Loki.

Tekken 2 Kazuya's Revenge: I really wish I didn't heard of this film let alone watched it. It's like if The Raid 2 was directed by that jackass who gave us Legend of Chun-Li. Hell this film hurt me just as much as Legend of Chun-Li; though not as much as Dragon Ball Evolution. And yes that day is coming for Dragon Ball Evolution to get verbally destroyed.

The Machine: In four words most fascinating movie ever. It's like if Ridley Scott made a Blade Runner equivalent of Ghost in the Shell. Caity Lotz's performance is absolutely beautiful.

Guardians of the Galaxy: So let me list down how beautiful this film was.
1. The performance of the actors was great.
2. The action scenes were phenomenal.
3. The humor was solid gold perfect.
4. The characters were amazing.
5. Starlord is half-human apparently....interesting.
6. Ronan the Accuser is no Loki but still gets credit for being bat-shit evil.
7. Nebula is down right gorgeous....(love you Karen).
8. SPOILERS, Howard the Duck....not kidding.

Lucy: I had a hard time watching this film because SOMEBODY decided to take a nap in the theater. Seriously this person kept making hmmm sounds through the ENTIRE MOVIE. I was deeply concentrating on the movie trying to block out this noise. Almost didn't get the full enjoyment of Lucy. As for the movie it was good, enjoyable action scenes, Scarlett Johansson was amazing.

Snowpiercer: It's like taking one part Raid and one part Bioshock. And you end up with a deeply magnificent film.

Knights of Badassdom: As silly as it is at least this film makes more sense than let's say Jennifer's Body.

Edge of Tomorrow: Emily Blunt with a buster sword, that's a good enough reason to watch it.

Maleficent: Though I have some minor nicpicks the film is still worth watching. Especially if you want to see Angelina Jolie with wings and horns.

X-Men Days of Future Past: just two words.....absolutely astonishing.

Godzilla: I was a bit worry that it was gonna flop badly the way the first monster fight was done. But later everything got better and the fights were GLORIOUS! THIS FILM WAS FRAKING AWESOME!

Amazing Spider-Man 2: For a lack of a better word it was amazing. A lot of improvements were made from the last film, Spider-Man's witty humor was handled more fluidly. This film's attempt on (SPOILERS) Harry Osborn as Green Goblin is vastly better than Spider-Man 3 with that "Back To The Future" reject thing.

Under The Skin: This is by far Scarlett Johansson at her very best performance. Overall the film requires to be watched on a different mindset, but it's still pretty good.

Transcendence: I say it's been awhile since The Astronuat's Wife to see a Spooky Johnny Depp on screen. He's like a evil Tony Stark, kinda makes think that they pick the wrong guy to play Ultron. Just saying.

The Raid 2: My god it just keeps one upping the first one in borderline brutality it's freaking GLORIOUS!

Oculus: Liked it a lot, and Karen Gillan was amazing. But my only, minor complaint is the ending, NO SPOILERS all I can say is DAMN YOOOOOOOOOOU!

Captain America Winter Soldier: Man did shit got real (in a good way) and shit may get even more real when Avengers 2 come out. Also I'm curious to see how the events of this film affect Agents of SHEILD. My only (minor) disappointment was my theory of the character Alexander Pierce was ALL wrong, well played movie.

Robocop (2014): On its own merit it may not be the remake that no one asked for but it was a good attempt of modernizing it. Also in a few scenes has left me with this PG-13 MY ASS!

What to Watch on New Years Eve

Here's something to the countdown to midnight going.

Ghostbusters 2

Ocean's Eleven (1960)

Strange Days

Doctor Who the TV Movie

What to Watch For Christmas

Sitting near a warm open fire with your family but have no idea what movies to watch on Christmas. Not to worry, I'm here to give you a list of Christmas movies that I recommend wathing.

Die Hard

Die Hard 2

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Love Actually

It's A Wonderful Life

Home Alone

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Batman Returns

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

A Christmas Story

Scrooged

A Muppet Christmas Carol

The Long Kiss Goodnight

Gremlins

Friday After Next

Lethal Weapon

Movies to Watch on Thanksgiving

Getting bored of watching the game but have no clue what movie to watch, then look no further. Here's a short list of movies I recommend watching with the family. Happy Thanksgiving.

Jurassic Park

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Don't Say a Word

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

My thoughts on the Hellraiser sequels

I'm done, I'm finally done with the sequels. So on to my thoughts.
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth: Not as over the top as the first two but it tries its best to tie-in to them.

Hellraiser IV: Bloodline: Seriously what's the point of bringing these franchises into freaking space? Anyway the backstory of the puzzle box and its creator was interesting but it felt they didn't gone deep enough.

Hellraiser V: Inferno: Now this film has a much different approach with a psychological thriller aspect and that's a good thing. My only complaint is with how the previous films are so graphic and gory. This film is pretty tame in that department and I mean Alien vs Predator tame. Also I'm calling shenanigans on the sub-title; it's called Inferno yet there were no infernos.

Hellraiser VI: Hellseeker: It's nice to see they gave the character Kristy closure and once again has this psychological thriller going for them. However, like V it's all pretty tame in the gore department.

Hellraiser VII: Deader: Oh god was this the most boring one of the franchise, as if they got really lazy in the suspense. Not to mention they didn't thought through on the Merchant subplot.

Hellraiser VIII: Hellworld: This is the most BS of the franchise; this film is like an amalgam of Scream and Saw, if these films were tacky and low-budget. And for some reason it got this iffy meta stuff going on. At least when Scream and Cabin in the Woods did it there was a point. But in this film I just don't get it. And the real kick to the balls is despite Pinhead being in the film, he really isn't in the film at all. The whole time the main characters were hallucinating. And one other thing, this was just a Lance Henriksen revenge film. I mean he couldn't bother summoning Pumpkinhead that would help.

Hellraiser IX: Revelation: Doug Bradley couldn't reprise the role of Pinhead this time and frankly I'm glad he didn't. Because this was the most pointless film in the franchise. Sadly the replacement for Doug looks butt-ugly as Pinhead; his face looks like it doesn't fit with the Pinhead make-up. Even more weird they this even uglier Pinhead in the film. Um...passing-the-torch......sequel-baiting.......symbolism? Pinhead has the weakest presence in this film and at worst the antagonist has the weakest motivation. This film has a weak atmosphere and just immediately spoils the set-up and mystery. I mean it felt like I'm watching a Cloverfield clone at times.

New Years Eve Review 2013

Well as 2013 is coming to a close I'll just give an overall review of films I've seen this year.

World's End: My god the humor is flipping endlessly hilarious, just non-stop comedy at its best.

Elysium: It was a fun film was pretty much watching a video game movie just less made of stupid.

The Wolverine: It was pretty good the fight scenes are better and the story wasn't a slapped together glob of plotholes.

Pacific Rim: I'll put it like this....Gundam, Macross, Voltron.....MAKE THESE FILMS HAPPEN! If Guillermo Del Toro can get giant robots right then just maybe there is hope.

This Is The End: It's not bad really it's one of those "shut off your brain" films. Most of the comedy in it are pretty funny and you really don't wanna mess with a fire ax wielding Emma Watson. Just throwing that out there.

Iron Man 3: Worth watching however, I think The Mandarin really didn't need to be in the film given how the film actually plays out differently from the trailer. But I understand why the film went this way so I'm not that disappointed, surprised and confused but not disappointed. And Also Pepper Potts is a bad ass so there's that to forward to.

Oblivion: It's rather a good looking film.

Evil Dead 2013: Despite my personal protest I went to see it and........................it's really good........it didn't piss me off I enjoy it. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW GUYS?

G.I. Joe Retaliation:.....FRAKING A, it's like they took the flaws from the first movie and improved them. As much as I like the first movie this one is AWESOME.

Man of Steel: I feel I owe this film an apology. I have no words of how amazing Man of Steel, Zach Snyder in his own prerogative does his best representation of Superman. Where as Superman Returns fails because of how Bryan Singer tries to emulate what Richard Donner did.

New Years Eve Review 2012

Hey everyone it's that time of the New Year again where I review films that I've watched in the theaters in 2012. So here we go again.

Prometheus: I was really brought into watching this after seeing the trailer but it turns to just another pretty looking film. This film just keep missing the point it tries so hard to get across as it met to established the Alien universe.

Total Recall: OK lets be honest here this film was no way gonna surpass the original hell it can't even surpass the short story. Just another short -sighted action flick that fails to grasp the story.

Looper: The concept is interesting enough and can be enjoyable to watch on its own merits.

Chronicle: Out of all the crappy found-footage-films this one in a good way shines above the rest clearly because this film wasn't made of dumb.

Wreck-It-Ralph: This film has a beautiful moment that actually made me cry it's a beautiful film.

Cabin in the Woods: My god.........this film...........is EPIC WIN good. This film is self-aware yet it plays itself straight it's flipping brilliant.

The Raid: The two words that'll explain on how AWESOME this film is borderline brutal. The current action films these days can actually learn something from this film.

Dark Knight Rises: Well it may not be as epic as Dark Knight but it's still entertaining and has a good closure to the franchise.

Skyfall: I got no words describing the beauty and greatness this film has displayed on screen.

The Avengers: PURE NERDVANA....nuff said.

12 Days of Christmas (Film Vindicator Edition)

That's right folks I'm singing a film version of the 12 Days of Christmas enjoy.

"On the First day of Christmas a film buff gave to me A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Second day of Christmas a film buff gave to me Two Expendables and a Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Third day of Christmas a film buff gave to me a Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Fourth day of Christmas a film buff gave to me a Four Crystal Skulls, Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Fifth day of Christmas a film buff gave to me FIIIIIIIVE DIE HARD FIIIIILMS, Four Crystal Skulls, Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Sixth day of Christmas a film buff gave to me Six Hulks a Smashing, FIIIIIIIVE DIE HARD FIIIIILMS, Four Crystal Skulls, Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Seventh day of Christmas a film buff gave to me Seven Samurais, Six Hulks a Smashing, FIIIIIIIVE DIE HARD FIIIIILMS, Four Crystal Skulls, Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Eighth day of Christmas a film buff gave to me Eight Bellas Whining, Seven Samurais, Six Hulks a Smashing, FIIIIIIIVE DIE HARD FIIIIILMS, Four Crystal Skulls, Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Ninth day of Christmas a film buff gave to me Nine Crappy Remakes, Eight Bellas Whining, Seven Samurais, Six Hulks a Smashing, FIIIIIIIVE DIE HARD FIIIIILMS, Four Crystal Skulls, Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Tenth day of Christmas a film buff gave to me Ten Black Swans, Nine Crappy Remakes, Eight Bellas Whining, Seven Samurais, Six Hulks a Smashing, FIIIIIIIVE DIE HARD FIIIIILMS, Four Crystal Skulls, Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Eleventh day of Christmas a film buff gave to me Eleven Ranting Critics, Ten Black Swans, Nine Crappy Remakes, Eight Bellas Whining, Seven Samurais, Six Hulks a Smashing, FIIIIIIIVE DIE HARD FIIIIILMS, Four Crystal Skulls, Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

"On the Twelveth day of Christmas a film buff gave to me Twelve Bays Exploding, Eleven Ranting Critics, Ten Black Swans, Nine Crappy Remakes, Eight Bellas Whining, Seven Samurais, Six Hulks a Smashing, FIIIIIIIVE DIE HARD FIIIIILMS, Four Crystal Skulls, Three Dark Knights, Two Expendables, and A Twilight on an open flame"

Thanks a lot everyone Merry Christmas.

The Cinema Snob Movie

So I went to HorrorHound over the weekend and had a great time I brought home a two-disc special edition of The Lost Boys which there was no way in hell I was gonna say no to that. And a new film called The Cinema Snob Movie; that's right I've met and chat with Brad Jones a/k/a The Cinema Snob along with Ed Glaser, Sarah Lewis, and Jake Norvell. Most have which autographed my copy of the DVD and upon watching this film I have to say I don't think the trailer did any justice to show how amazingly well made and hilarious the film is. Seriously I wasn't expecting so much thought out exposition and meaning put into this film. So yeah thank you Brad and the rest of the cast and crew for this amazing film and that everyone else should get this film IMMEDIATELY.

http://www.walkawayentertainment.com/Walkaway_Entertainment/THE_CINEMA_SNOB_MOVIE.html