Movie Review: Suicide Squad

Around the House
Okay, so around the house right now is quiet.  We have welcomed a new kitten to the family which has meant for a lot of sleepless nights as we are focusing on getting her acclimated to the boys.  EZ seems to be warming up to Calli faster than Henry but overall it is good.  I can't wait for my vacation this weekend.  We are going to be hitting the Epcot Wine and Food Festival.  Lets hope I fit into my clothes after this weekend!

My Thoughts
So as most of the kids of the 80's we grew up knowing more about DC Coming than Marvel thanks to the Super Friends show.  Now that the DC Extended Universe is growing, I am one of the first in line to bash them since I love Marvel Comics so much (especially the movies).  Well I have to eat my words after seeing Suicide Squad this weekend.  The modernized portrayal of the characters was fantastic.  I especially found myself thinking of the scene where an Eminem song is playing and Harley Quinn is getting dressed in her slutty gear out in the open.  It wasn't dirty, it was kind of empowering to see the way the character behaved.

The movie did a fantastic job tying it back to Batman v. Superman (which I havent seen yet) as well as introducing characters that could be long time villains into the mix in a fun and festive way.  It makes me want to yell over at Marvel and ask them where the Thunderbolts are.  DC may actually have a fighting chance now.

Rating: 4/5

Movie Review: X-Men Apocalypse

Around the House
I am excited as the final touches are coming together for the Second Edition of Cursed.  It is going to feature two new stories that help to tie everything together.  My editor is so excited.  We have now approved the Cover Art and are trying to find that perfect release date.  We are thinking some time this fall or the holiday season.  Are you ready to get Cursed?  I know I am.  I am looking for a few people that would like to preread the book and write a review online.  Let me know if you are interested.

My Thoughts
For those of you that do not know, I am a huge fan of Marvel Comics, and I grew up reading X-Men comics of the 90's.  I was first introduced to the X-Men like many other people through the cartoon.  I quickly became obsessed and had to have it all.  Well since the 2000's I have moved away from the comics and enjoyed the movies.  I still enjoy a read of the database to see the changes, but other than that I do not play in the land of comics outside of the TV and Movie worlds.

Now, I was excited to see the changes to the universe that Fox rolled out.  It was their chance to give them a fresh start.  Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe that are still have trouble making one concise universe that the comic fans can be proud of watching.  Unfortunately, X-Men Apocalypse falls into that bucket.  I have two main issues with the movie.  The first is that for the length of the movie they do a very pour job introducing new characters or highlighting why they are where they are.  It is one thing to bring in Phoenix, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Cailban, Psylocke, Angel, and Storm, but you need to give them some type of back story and explanation of their powers.  While they did an okay job with Storm and Nightcrawler they failed to really dive into the depths of why they are at the school.  Additionally, they never properly explained the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse which has been a major X-Men story arch repeatedly.  It is one thing to start a fresh take on the universe which they are doing a good job of, but it is another to have a wonky timeline where the changes don't make sense - like Cyclops being the younger brother of Havok or how we have a Nightcrawler without Mystique knowing it is her son.

Overall, I say the move was fair.  For a 2 hour plus movie we needed more action and growth from the characters to really love them.  The whole seen with Wolverine didn't feel like it made sense for the storyline, and where are the characters we love from the original movies that should be popping up if we have Jubilee - Rogue, Iceman, Colossus, and Shadow Cat (Kitty Pryde).

Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars

Check Deadpool which was a great movie though!

Product Review: Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two

Around the House
So the new covers are finally ready to go and book two is coming along.  I came up with a new type of character that will be debuting at the end of book two, and I am very excited to see what everyone things of it.  I have to give the fiance credit for this ones inspiration.  Driving home from a Memorial Day party and it came to us.  We laughed so hard in the car just thinking about this character.  I hope you love Rakuum as much as I do.

My Thoughts
As you can tell by this blog I am a bit of a Marvel Junkie.  In my kitchen I have no less that 10 boxes of comics sitting in there.  Well recently I found this awesome product at Amazon.  It is the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 2 Box Set.  I can't wait for it arrive.  I love the way Marvel Studios has taken its universe and revamped it for the modern area.  So when I saw this Phase Two Box Set with another Infinity Gem I knew I had to have it.  Plus you cant beat the price and the display quality.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Around the House
Not to much to say around the house.  My sister and her husband just got approved for a house.  I am so excited to them.  They should be moving at the end of the month.  I am looking forward to seeing the new place when it is all pulled together.  Also, if I haven't mentioned this I am also looking to buy a place in the suburbs of Chicago.  I have been looking around for a couple of months or so.  I am planning to buy a place by November, but I am not at a rush.

Katrina Rue's birthday was yesterday.  Now you never tell a ladies age, so I won't tell you how old she is.  You should check out my new book covers that she painted for me.  Well anyway, we spent her birthday seeing the new Batman movie.  Despite the fact that we prebought the tickets, parking was a nightmare, and we got stuck in the very front row.  Can you say back pain!

My Thoughts
Batman makes his return after the death of Harvey Dent.  The Dark Knight Rises takes place 8 years after the fatal events of the Joker which led to the death of Harvey, Rachael, and Batman's reputation.  Despite all of this you would not be surprised to find that there are still believers around the corner to help them.  This installment of the dynamic series shows us a reclusive Bruce Wayne being cared for by Alfred, the introduction of the cat burglar Selena Kyle, and the dark force of Bane.

I rather enjoyed the tales this movie spins.  A few spoilers to show how much I loved this movie.  This installment gave Christian Bale the ability to return to the role or bow out while giving us a potential replacement.  Selena Kyle is not Catwoman, but her pre-Catwoman burglar self.  No whip, claws, or ears.   This choice is a great one of the history of the Batman.  It opens the door for her return while giving us the in between good and bad parts that make the character so lovable.  Anne Hathaway turned out to be the purfect Selena Kyle.  I was excited and worried that her in the role would be problematic since she is loved as the good girl, but she was amazing and the perfect foil to the strong will of Christian Bale's Batman.

Rating: 4/5 - One of the best series of DC Movies EVER done.

Hope for the next installment: Robin/Nightwing, Catwoman, and more of his dark villains.  PLEASE COME BACK Christian Bale and Alfred!

Movie Review: The Amazing Spiderman

Around the House
Vacation is good!  Family, Friends, and Dates have kept me busy.  More on that another day. 

My Thoughts
Oh where to start on this interesting little remake.  Number one I have a strong detest for remakes that do not do something new, different, or engaging for the audience.  I dislike when a remake is done so quickly that the watcher and freshly reference the previous movie (since it is on Stars or HBO or some movie channel).  I also consider a change in lead characters a remake with certain exceptions like the death of the original Dumbledor who will always be missed as the best actor to grace that role.  So back to the Topic at hand.  I was disappointed that Chris Evans was Johnny Storm and Captain America, but I do not think there is another actor that could have been that amazing of a Captain America.  Now we have 2 Spidermen.  My complaint about the original run of the series is that they kept killing off the villains.  Spiderman's villains don't die they always come back for more which makes it fun not knowing who could be the villain coming up to ruin his day.  It is always nice that they made the villains lovable in their own way by truly fleshing out the stories of who they were to the world.

Now The Amazing Spiderman blew me away.  I loved everything related to the Avengers and the new Spiderman fits in perfectly with them.  Even Emma Stone as a Blonde Gwen Stacey was perfect.  The story was engaging, heartfelt, and strongly written.  It definitely set the movies up to have an Avenger's feel by having one movie with the ability to build on another.  I can't wait to see the follow up.  It made me forget all the differences between the comics and the original movie run.  It was the perfect story to open the return of a long running series.  I recommend everyone run out and see this movie, throw out your "OLD" Spiderman movies, and buy the new one to add to your Marvel Collection.  I hate to say it, but Disney owning Marvel has done it right.

Rating: 5/5

Movie Review: Madea's Witness Protection

Around the House
Well I am in the process of working on the next installment of the Preludes of Illumination Series, Finishing Part 3 of Brimstone, and starting vol.3 of the Preludes Series.  Wow that makes me sound really busy doesn't it.  I always wondered how authors like Meg Cabot, Rick Riordan, and Kelley Armstrong could turn out books so damn fast.  I see how they have no lives.  Otherwise, not to much is going on around the house.  I am getting ready for my vacation which starts on the fourth of July.  I am looking forward to spending some time with family.  The next installment of Brimstone will be hitting shelves at that point to help with the fun summer reading schedule.  My work outs are still going well.  I am not hitting the gym 6 days a week like I want to, but I am making progress with keeping up on them.  I am averaging 4 days a week right now.

My Thoughts
Tyler Perry's Madea movies are not known for great plots, but they are known for fun romps.  We return to Madea's house, her nephew Brian, and her crazy brother Joe who are about to take on a rich family that have gotten themselves in trouble with the Law and the Mob.  While the character of Madea is never the point character of any of her movies she is always the comedy that keeps you falling out of your seat.  Tyler Perry did not disappoint with the non-stop laughs, push at family values type morals, and a fun fast paced movie.

Now looking at the actual plot of the movie, their of course were some holes.  Okay, a few mile wide ones, but that isn't why we watch the movies.  There are also plot points that are mentioned that never come into existence.  What happened to the Ex Wife? Is that really Joe's kid? Did the family find happiness in their new life?  All things I would have loves to see.  As expected though Madea was a fun, heart warming movie that doesn't require you to follow the whole lineage, but is great if you do!

Rating: 4/5

Movie Review: Snow White and the Huntsman

Around the House
Well tomorrow is going to be Hell.  I have to attend our first fair of the season, and I do not feel like being up in just a few short hours.  AWK!  It was not the smartest thing in the world for me to go see a movie, but I had to see it.

My Thoughts
I am going to be blunt, and before Katrina pipes up, yes their are moments when I do sugar coat my thoughts.  The movie was horrific.  I expected and dynamic well written master piece to bring the tale of Snow White into a new non-Disney era.  Guess who did a better job with that?  Disney with their amazing show Once Upon a Time.

The Characters where extremely static with glimpses of a true back story to give them motivations.  The magical elements are the story such as the magic mirror has an original take yet where very quickly tossed to the wayside.  And the building of a tragic love story was left out for a sub par battle scene where the most interesting parts where Dwarves playing in the sewer.

I was expecting from the previews to see the Queen as the lead character with some great development and growth to explain her motivations.  It seems from watching this cinematic train wreck that a fantastic script existed but was tossed into the trash.  The part the boggled my mind was that if she could suck the life out of a young girl to stay young why did she have to go out of her way to kill Snow White, because the Mirror said so? 

Rating 2 out of 5

Movie Review: The Avengers

Around the House
I hate playing catch up!

My Thoughts
As a long time fan of the Marvel Franchise, I have been impatiently waiting for this movie.  I have seen all the movies leading up to this movie including Iron Man 1 & 2, Hulk, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America: the First Avenger, and Thor.  They way Marvel has worked to weave all of these into individual stories as well as part of a larger story arch was amazingly well done.  I was worried about how this movie would play out since the actor for the Hulk has now changed three times, Hawkeye and Black Window are mortals, and the forming of a team can make for characters lost and a very hap hazard story line.  Instead we got an amazing movie with continued character growth, and a smooth story.  The best part of each of the movies and The Avengers movies is that you can watch each of the individually and not feel like you have been left behind.  The only sad part was I missed not seeing the Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and Vision.

Joss Whedon has a talent for crafting a story on an epic scale that still drives home the team atmosphere.  This movie could have easily been just Captain America, Thor, Iron Man movie, but each character was given love with fun romps and catchy lines that will live on.  Marvel would be smart if they tied down Joss Whedon to the entire Avengers related franchise.  It definitely reminded me of his work with Buffy and Angel where you get a team dynamic and not one character over shadows the other.  I really masterpiece of directing and writing.

Rating: 5/5

Movie Review: Dark Shadows

Around the House
I hate holiday weekends.  My workout are so screwed up, I am exhausted from family, and I am not eating the best.  You can tell that by the fact I am sitting here ate work with a protein bar and a Venti Carmel Machiatto.  Yum!  Work is dead today, so I figured I wouldn't get a better opportunity to update my movie reviews.  What did I do after an all day family event in the sun (which was after work)?  Did I finish my edits?  Nope I went to a movie.  At least that was a good time.


My Thoughts
Dark Shadows is a remake of an old soap opera from back in the day.  Unlike most things, I haven't done any research on the original since I wanted a fresh perspective when I saw the movie.  While the reviews where not great, the previews looked campy, and the box office number dismal I knew I had to see it for myself.  Knowing that this was a Soap Opera vampire movie, I expected the situations to be extremely campy and fun.  I have to say I was not disappointed.  It help enough of the twisting turns of a Soap Opera that it met my expectations, while building a fresh story.  The movie was fun and full of life. 

I enjoyed the twisted dark seventies themed environment.  The fresh look at a vampire risen in the mortal world was well done.  The back story of the characters teased you enough to want to know more without long drawn out exposition.  It felt very much like flipping on a Soap Opera you have watched for years and catching up with old, odd, friends.  The only complaints is that majority of the characters motivations where a bit fuzzy.  I have a feeling from the flow of the movie that these developments ended up on the cutting room floor.  I would like to have learned more of the Matriarch of the Collins Family and the last minute twist of her daughter should have developed more throughout the movie.  The Supernatural battles where a bit much at the end, when I was hoping for more campy love and drama.

Rating: 4/5

Movie Review: The Hunger Games

Around the House
Check out my other posting from today.  I totally forgot to post this with everything going on since Easter.  Is it July yet?  I so need a vacation.

My Thoughts
Katrina Rue my fellow author and friend here in Chicago was obsessed with seeing this movie.  While neither of us jumped on the band wagon when the books took off.  I was reading too many series, and she only reads teen books that I recommend.  We never understood the scope of the story or the love people had for this series of books.  I'll admit, and I hate to do it.  Back when Harry Potter made its splash I was a different person.  I didn't read, I didn't write, and I sure as Hell didn't see teen/kids movies.  That was until Katrina dragged me to see it.  It was the start of everything you are seeing.  I learned to love it all.

I was actually very excited to see this film.  I loved the cast from what I had heard of especially Stanley Tucci.  Well next thing I knew the movie was over, and I was ticking to know more.  No, I have not bought the books yet since I have a pile to read, but they will be read very shortly.  The story was stunning and accessible to adults, children, and teens.  While the themes and story line mirrored an extended version of the "Lottery" it was completely captivating.  I recommend this to everyone.  It is family friendly enough to to scare the little ones, yet gritty enough to keep any guy held to his chair.  And then you toss in the love story and the whole family can enjoy this gripping story.  Who would have know that Suzanne Collins actually was involved in all aspects of the movie, so you know it is true to the story!

Rating: 5/5

Movie Review: The Lorax

Around the House
What can I say about the adventures around the house.  Not to much is going on at home, but work is getting a bit tough.  I am making great headway on the new book, so expect to see it going live very soon.  I am also in the process of looking for book reviewers/interviews for a blog tour.  So, if you know anyone send them my way.  It is hard that most authors have to do a lot of their own publicity, but it can also be fun to meet and talk to new fun people in the process.  I recommend to any author to have the courage to go out and network with other bloggers.

My Thoughts
The Lorax, what can I say?  It is by far my favorite Dr. Seuss story of all times.  That is probably because it is one of the few that are an actual story that screams a moral to the populace.  I was expecting to see an absolute train wreck of a movie when I sat in an empty theater with Katrina Rue to watch this new adaption.  I have to saw I was pleasantly surprised to see they twisted the story into one with a new life and some fun music.  While it was a bit campy for my overall liking; it was a great take on the story.  The changes they made turned a short children's book into a fully fleshed out and realized story which would bring me back for a second viewing.

The characters of this story had growth, depth, and excitement instead of playing the pandering static characters you see in most children's movies today.  It actually spoke to the audience in a fun way that acknowledged the watcher had a brain between their cute little ears.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Movie Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Around the House
I know, I know it seems like I have fallen off the face of the Earth again.  But this time it is for good reason.  It has finally happened.  I have published my next book Cursed.  Which is currently an Amazon.com exclusive.  Here is the link for all of my amazing fans to look at.  I am dying to here what you have to say about my new book.  The print edition is coming shortly.  I'll let you know when it hits.

The Preludes of Illumination volume 1: Cursed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QSEJIO

My Thoughts
Tonight I saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  I was a little afraid to see it do to the fact I have heard of the graphic nature of the book, but I was thoroughly impressed by the movie.  The graphic nature of the movie was actually on par with the dark twisted nature of the story.  While it was horrific to witness the scenes of rape and violence it aided in the development of the leading characters.  The mystery aspect of the story kept the audience riveted to there chairs.  It actually made me want to look into the the original movies and read the novels.  I may actually have to order it for my Ereader.

Rating 4 out of 5

Movie Review: X-Men First Class

Around the House
Working on editing and reviewing submissions for the fall Anthology, so I am busier than I expected to be this summer.  Things are taking me way longer than I planned for and my editor has been on my butt about it.   I am very excited to see that Gilbert Press has their website up and running.  I really hope that authors are submitting great works so that my editor has something else to worry about.  Make sure you check out my page on there as well as the links posted.  Also, I am starting a new job in July which has me very excited.  I can't wait.  Otherwise, I am trying to get out to enjoy the weather some, though the rain in Chicago has made that a bit hard.

My Thoughts
Growing up as a die hard X-Men fan, I was very worried about this movie.  The trailers made it seem like they were going to be making a real mess of this movie.  I should have known better.  Marvel did an awesome job on it.  The back story was fleshed out in a way that allowed anyone watching the movie fall right in for the first time while keeping those who have enjoyed the rest of the stories enthralled.  I am wondering how they are going to handle the Havok item though.  Since having him a teen and Jean Grey a youth when Xavier is older makes me wonder how old they plan on portraying Scott.  Is he now going to be a younger brother?  Or is Xavier just going to age extremely quickly after his accident.  I am very curious to see how it all comes together.  I did especially enjoy the tie in to the first X-Men movie with the expanded story of Magneto.  It makes you wonder when and if they are going to have his kids popping up in the franchise, especially with the kick off of the Avengers movie.  I am rather excited to see.  The Internet is also spawning rumors of X4 and 5 along with turning the first class into a trilogy.  If they keep the stories going, I am down for the ride.  Also, I hear talks of New Mutants.  BRING IT ON!

Rating: 8 out of 10

Movie Review: Thor

Around the House
Wow, I can't believe how long editing this book is taking.  It is one of the slowest edits I have ever done.  I am excited to announce that Gilbert Press will have a new website coming soon, and they will be starting major acquisitions.  It is nice to see my publisher getting ready to make itself a presence in the market.  Otherwise, I am here dealing with finding a job since I didn't the one I wanted, and working to restore my social life.  All things are really starting to look up in my world and that makes me very happy.

My Thoughts
As a fan of Marvel Comics especially the X-Men, I have been very happy with the way they are handling the realism of their live action movies.  They have been able to take their franchises and cross them over without making them feel cartoony.  I was extremely worried about Thor though.  How where they going to handle the whole god element in a way that made sense with the other movies, not take away from the realism they are using, and holds true to the story of Thor.  I was extremely surprised that they not only pulled it off, but did an amazing job.  I am now even more excited to see how they bring us to the Avengers.  Marvel has done such an amazing job that I hope the new X-Men and Spiderman movies hold up to the Avengers franchise.

Rating: 8 out of 10