Twelve

George Snell

2013-02-20T18:48:00.0000000 2016-07-10T18:53:28.4500000

THE TWELVE REVIEW

I’m still kind of new to the comic book world, as I’ve only read Deadpool and Greenlantern, slowly getting into other series, as well as Graphic Novels. I got these on a digital sale that Marvel has on Comixology called Marvel Monday where they sale digital comics for 0.69, as I wanted to get into it I bought this and some other comics at the first issue to see if I would like it and after reading the first three issue I was hooked and I bought the other issues, which was worth the purchase, as this was such an enjoyable read. I like this comic as it has a very interesting set up, though I’d imagine that if you are a marvel fan and read Captain America comics, you’ve probably have seen it with Captain America as it does borrow a few elements from it, as of the twelve heroes sleeping into the 21st and awaken into a different time by the U.S Military government and the heroes trying to fit in the new time period. Though that it doesn’t feel like it has been reckoning it as it takes its own directions of this story, as it explores the characters. I think as I haven’t read any Captain America comics, though I have seen the animated films/television show and the movie, so I have some idea about the character.

The story follows these characters; The Blue Blade, The Black Widow, Captain Wonder, Dynamic Man, Electro, The Fiery Mask, The Laughing Mask, Master Mind Excello, Mister E, Rockman, the Witness & finally The Phantom Reporter, who is in the stories perspective. These are all actual Marvel character, they weren’t just made up for this stories, these where just very obscure characters that have been forgotten throughout the years, as I have done a little research. So it was a very risky move doing a story with these characters, but the writing really pulls it off, even though it is a pit slow at the start of it, but it kicks off especially in the second issue. These characters are all very interesting, as all the characters get enough time to develop their themselves, going into their back stories and some with mysteries surrounding them, that you’d want to continue reading to figure out the answers and each play their roles of the story very well. As also feeling for some of these characters as not only feeling for them for the situation they are in, though some others you might have different feelings towards being in the 21st century.

There is also a great mystery, as one of the characters gets murdered, shown at the first issue, and continues the story before then, making us think of who was the murder, as the image of it at first isn't what it seemed, as well as other murders happening.

The art work is really good, as it’s clean and clear style in the comic and I defiantly love the covers art for them, as it has a style of looking like old fashioned move posters, which feel good for this comic. I also love the comic’s attention to detail on characters and backgrounds. My only complaint is that certain characters, males mostly, can look really ugly and too wrinkly at times, it doesn't bother me much, though it is pretty noticeable, but these guys weren't exactly young 20 year old let’s just say that.

Though I like this comic there are some problems with this comic. As characters get enough time to develop. There are some side characters get introduced they seem to disappear, as they appear on the pages and get shoved out of the story, except some side characters that get to stay.

Another problem I have with this comic is that none of the other heroes seem to be around in the 21st century, in the 40’s there where a lot more fighting the Nazi’s, except for a newspaper print, in the comic, of Captain America and a cameo from Nick Fury, the White guy version not the Black guy version. Which is quite a shame as it would have been awesome if the modern heroes interacted with the 40’s heroes, it kinds of make it that they were in their own universe, which wouldn't be much of a problem, but there was an idea with the military that the main characters where going with the “Civil War” event that was going on at the time, but outside from some of the characters fighting crime and the phantom reporter solving a mystery, it never goes into that making you wonder what the point is with the military keeping them in a mansion/house.

Though this isn't a perfect comic it has its flaws, but still a pretty enjoyable read, as of it’s interesting character and story, especially as it isn't something I read too often, though I haven’t read a lot of comics.

It’s a “Like” from me and I’d defiantly recommend that you buy it, if you are interested in this sort of thing & hoping to see these characters more in the Marvel universe.

Rock Opera

George Snell

2013-02-17T17:11:00.0000000 2016-06-13T17:15:53.6530000

ROCK OPERA REVIEW

First let’s talk about the album cover. I love it, I love the simplistic “less is more” style used through and the metaphor/symbolism of someone coming out of his shell and being nervous about playing his first music gig, especially shown with the big spot light.

The songs are performed very well, having a good use of Guitar, Hip hop, Alternative, Indie and Classic rock type of music.

All the songs are good as of each telling of an experience and have a lot heart/soul, each having an interesting story into them expect, for one song titled “Dork”. As it feels out of place as it is a guy hitting on a woman and failing type song, though not sung badly, the lyrics are ok and the instrumental of the song is admirable, it just feels out of place, especially having random video game sound effects used, unlike the beach/water sound effects used for “Guy Friend” and “Queen Fish, felt appropriate and well mixed in.

Outside from the “Dork Song” I like the rest of his songs, my favourites being “Golden Girl”, “Guyfriend”, “Queenfish”, “My Parasite”, “Forever”, “Boss Music” and “Caboose”, especially “My Parasite”, “Forever”, “Boss Music” and “Caboose” played in that order as all of those told together tells a really engaging story of friendship, love, betrayal , guilt and forgiveness. Which he has made a two part video story with the songs, as you can check on below links

All I can say is that this is a definite “Like”, and I also recommend you look at Emezie Okorafor’s music and YouTube stuff, you will not be disappointed, and buy his CD to support this guy’s talent.

Jack Reacher

George Snell

2013-02-14T12:57:00.0000000 2016-06-13T12:58:44.9930000

I know I’m a little late to this, but I want to give me take on this movie. This movie is REALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!! Though not being perfect, this movie has a really interesting and engaging story especially sold with the character Jack Reacher, Tom Cruise, a major badass of the a character that can beat any bodies arse and making smart ass remarks/wise cracks/taunts to his opponents, who is massive joy to watch and a character men want/wish to be like. Though other actors a good in this film Tom Cruise is the one that makes this movie a real joy to watch. For the record I’m not a Tom Cruise fan boy, I just really love this character, kind of a more serious/less insane Deadpool & a more poor man version of James Bond, he is that type of Hero/action asshole character that we’d love to watch on screen.

The story

I like this story, though not something completely new, I like how it is a really good mixture of an Action Thriller, as the action scenes and story are smoothly written together, never going to too much action and remembering it had a plot or too much plot and not enough action. As this movie had a really good smart story and really good action scenes, especially a great car chase. So this story has been written very well to not make the two elements overshadow one another and slowing down on the story after the action scenes to give people a breather and to understand what is going on in the plot. I especially love how there is a mystery surrounding the main character and the villain, though only knowing a bit about them, making them more interesting as also the situation. Though an only hiccup in the story is that some, “SOME”, character motivation either don’t make much sense or are a little rushed, I won’t spoil it as you’ll know when you see, and at times the movie attempts comedy it is alright but at times it’s a little off putting, like if the Avengers battle scene had a random guy throw a pie at the aliens, but it’s not that big of a problem on the film.

Actors Performance

Tom Cruise giving of an amazing performance that makes the character enjoyable to watch, the other actors do a pretty good job and the villain, The Zec, being a meh…As at times Werner Herzog sounded bored and other times plays it as on old bond villain, over the top & not in a fun way, where you can’t take him seriously or find him any fun to watch, which is quite a shame as he did have an interesting backstory and again having an interesting mystery about him.

Cinematography

The cinematography is really well done here, showing off all of Pittsburgh, and the movie has really good shots in action scenes, especially at the car chase scene.

Soundtrack

The sound track is alright, does set the mood of certain scenes, especially on the opening scene of the movie with the sniper shooting at people, it was so powerful you felt the gun shots. But outside from the opening it’s pretty forgettable, though still setting the mood, nothing I’d put on my I-Pod, nothing like the Noland’s Batman, Danny Elfman’s work nor the Terminator’s soundtrack. The music to me felt generic action movie music, I felt like I’ve heard it before, though as I keep saying, does set the mood of the scene. I repeat it so I don’t get yelled at me for not liking the soundtrack that much.

Now a thing I keep hearing about is that Tom Cruise is too short to play the character and he wouldn’t be that threatening, that is absolute bull s**t as after watching that I’d sure wouldn’t want to get him on his bad side, & he played a lot of action roles before, as looking on his IMDB page as I’ve only seen M.I 4 and thought that was really good, so people shouldn’t really jump to conclusions now because he isn’t the right height. It’s like what the director said “With another actor you might get 100% of the height but only 90% of Reacher. With Tom, you'll get 100% of Reacher with 90% of the height." And Tom Cruise certainly gives 100% in this performance. And after watching this movie it made me want to watch more Tom Cruise movies.

I’ve also never read the books, so I came in judging the movie without reading the source material. After watching this film I might give them a read, though when I read the book I’m not going to imagine a 6’5” height guy, I’m going to see Tom Cruise in the role, because he fits the role so perfectly.

Over all this is an awesome movie with flaws, but I really enjoyed this & it is a definite “Like”, I defiantly recommend people to watch this movie.

Life of Pi

George Snell

2013-02-01T12:56:00.0000000 2016-06-13T12:57:21.1400000

This is a film about the writer, Yann Martel, meeting Pi Patel to tell him about his story of his Youth and his amazing adventure. I have to say that “Life of Pi” was a very spectacular film and has a lot of things going for it. I.e, it has a good story, good acting, excellent cinematography & stunning effects.

I love how the story is being told as a story within a story as Older Pi tells his story of his life to Yann, giving it off as a unforgettable memory, and with teenage Pi giving narrations as he was writing a diary to record the days he has been on the boat writing it as if it will be his last, but still with a tiny piece of hope to carry out the journey. The story also does well in mixing heart-warming and really deep serious story telling.

The acting in this movie is really well performed, not a bad performance from any one, especially from all the actors playing the different ages of Pi. With the best acting from 16/17 year old Pi, as he is acting throughout most of the film on his own next to a CGI tiger, being a major power house in this film, especially as this is first film and acting debut which is even more impressive. This especially at the near end of the film, which I’ll not spoil, as of how well it is delivered, it added more to the mood of the scene.

The cinematography of this film looks absolutely gorgeous and with that mixing it with the CGI, it makes the film background look as if it is a painting at times, which would make some pretty good looking screensavers. Also the visuals works well with in the 3D format, but doesn’t focus much on making the film show off the 3D. Another thing I’ll say is that it looks like sex for the eye balls how beautiful the cinematograph & CGI effects look.

The soundtrack is absolutely stunning really helping bring more life to the film and adding the mood of scenes, especially the Indian songs/instrumentals, adding an enchantment and cultural feel to the film, as also adding more to the experience. I also like the “Paradise” song from Coldplay as the instrumental and the meaning of the song really fit the film well, even though the overall lyrics, aren’t really about the main character, though that’s just a nit-pick, it is really fitting for the movie.

It’s no secret that the tiger on the boat with teenage PI is CGI, I mean come on this is a lot different from the book/real experience, no matter how well trained a tiger is for acting, putting a real life tiger and a teenage on it will not end well. Now going back to the topic, the CGI on the animals at times is really mixed in this film, as at times the tiger in the film looks like a real life tiger, it actually made me think “Holy S**t is that the real tiger” & times you can tell it looked fake. But it didn’t bother me that much, but it is very obvious at times.

One other thing that kinds of bother me is with the transition of the story to when Yann and Pi are talking, as at times it is done well, but at others it doesn’t feel smoothly transitioned, though it is understandable that there need to be a transition to remind us that this is a story told by Pi & to remember that these two are talking, which at times works, but it feels zoomed in at times, which isn’t too much of a bother, but it is noticeable.

With all that I’ll give this a rating of “Like” a definite recommendation. This is a really spectacular film and that I’d recommend it to anyone, especially to people looking for a Spiritel adventure.

P.S

I will admit that I don’t watch a lot of Ang Lee’s film, in fact the only movie I’ve seen him of his was the 2003 Hulk, which I have mixed feelings on, nor have I read the book this movie is adapted from but, after watching this film I’m curious to see more of Ang Lee’s work and to read the original book.