See ya tweets

broderic on January 22, 2023

I deleted Tweetbot from my iOS devices not just because of the turmoil going on at Twitter, but also because Twitter has broken third party apps. It is an end of an era.

Twitter is my favorite social media. I’m on there most all the time. Usually, when I’m out, it is Tweetbot that I would be using. Now. That is no longer the case.

I’ve never logged in to the web page on my iPhone. I am not going to so far. I guess I am going to be using Twitter a lot less now. Of course, while I sit on my couch, I will be using the website. I guess I need to get off my couch then.

“There’s nothing like the sound of 1500 people not laughing.”

broderic on September 6, 2022

This past weekend was Labor Day here in the States. Usually, there’s a move good enough to watch being released in theaters. This year that was not the case. I really wanted to watch a movie this weekend, but there wasn’t one worth to see. Eventually, I did, but it wasn’t a choice I made — you’ll have to wait for that one later.

What happened? Where have all the movie releases gone? Is it over for movies in the theaters? Are we no longer going to go to a dimly lit public space and watch a movie on the silver screen with many people in the audience? Do we just like it at home? Is streaming movies worth it?

Sometimes I just want to get out of the house. Spend some time away from my computing devices. In darkness would be fine tucked away watching a movie. But there must be something to watch.

What was playing this weekend was movies from earlier in the year. If there was a new release, I did not notice it. I was expecting a somewhat recognizable cast and a particular genre. It wasn’t there. It was gone.

The cinema experience in the theaters is dying. Maybe. It’s not really doing well.

The Scourge of Copyright Claims

broderic on August 15, 2020

They leave your blog with the dead gray tombstone of an empty YouTube video…

One of these days, I’ll go and clean them up. For now though, I’ll try to post a few more times to move them off the front page. LOL!

Consider this one my first attempt on a slow summer Saturday night. Move the dead on down a page or two.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

broderic on July 2, 2018

I watched a Solo: A Star Wars Story a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. That was the night it came out last month. And here we are with my movie review and thoughts which I am trying to dredge up since I can’t remember too much.

It was alright. Not spectacular. Just so-so. The problem with delving into the origins of characters that are already great as they are is that the mystery becomes common. Han was ‘solo’ in escaping from his hard knock life as a street urchin thief. He was like a Oliver Twist in space. Does that sound interesting? It is until it isn’t.

Revealing his back story makes the extraordinary ordinary. Han for as long as I’ve been a Star Wars fan was a swashbuckling character. Yet, as a youngster he was in it for the girl. Dude, lighten up.

The story seemed to have taken just months before episode IV. But I would’ve thought it would’ve taken place years before. Like he would take a few years to become the scoundrel he was in episode IV. Compression of time made me worried.

Beyond that, it was a nice to remember that Han shot first.

I was intrigued for the sequel, but we are not getting it. Too much Star Wars.

3 of 5 stars.

Deadpool 2

broderic on June 6, 2018

I only saw the first one on cable. Deadpool 2 had Cable. I’m not enamored of the guy. Both of them.

It could’ve been better.

3 of 5 stars.

Avengers: Infinity War

broderic on June 6, 2018

I have been lame. I haven’t even kept my blog updated of the movies that I have seen. So to remedy that I will now share a few thoughts on Avengers: Infinity War

I liked it. Was not as good as Black Panther or Thor: Ragnarok. Could’ve been better. It left me wanting to see the next chapter. Luckily, it isn’t going take a few years to get that; it’s coming out next year.

4 of 5 stars.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

broderic on April 6, 2016

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is the type of film you get when you believe super heroes should be gritty. While not and bad as reviewers say, it’s only bad because they know that by liking The Dark Knight, that this is what they deserve. Thanks, Christopher Nolan!

Is Zack Snyder the second most hated director in Hollywood after Michael Bay? Maybe. He’s made a few movies that rub people the wrong way, but needless to say he makes movies which regular shmoes like. I think he needs some mental help though. His is a too cynical take on life. Dark. Grim. Dank. Dour. That’s all I can say of his style. There is no light in his world.

It’s a tale which tries to set up the DC Cinematic Universe. I’m not a DC fan, so I could care less.

Make mine Marvel.

3 of 5 stars.

Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol

broderic on December 30, 2011

I did like Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol, but I thought it lacked emotion. It was a very rote, by the numbers Misson, but no heft in outlying why we should care about IMF. They were gonna be disavowed, but “meh,” why should I care. The previous installments in this film series forced Ethan Hunt to the brink emotionally. Whether through revenge and betrayal or love and passion, Ethan always was running fueled by his emotions for getting the job done. In this movie, it lacked the personal, emotional investment for Ethan to keep running.

That is not to say the plot was a mess, but the standard rogue agent with a nuclear bomb makes me think Lex Luthor, and Lex Luthor was a comic book villain. This could’ve been a plot for any other task force team — someone look up what John McClane is up to.

I think Paula Patton is beautiful. I think Brad Bird did a fine job on his first live action film. I hope Brad Bird doesn’t just do live action films anymore. I think Tom Cruise runs funny. Simon Pegg is overexposed. Anil Kapoor should be in more Hollywood productions bringing some Bollywood over. I thought when the twist came that Josh Hallowell would be under that mask. I wonder what the IMAX hype was all about.

3 of 5 stars.

Captain America: The First Avenger

broderic on July 30, 2011

When I think of Captain America, I think of an earnest hero. Chris Evans does come across as an earnest Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger. His head is too big for the scrawny body. Even when he becomes, Captain America his head is too big for his body, but that’s alright, for Cap, his ideas and thoughts that stand for America are too big for his body. He embodies America of the World War: earnest in trying to defeat the Axis powers. He is an avenger for justice!

Weird that the US creates its own super soldier to do battle with the übermensch of the Teutonic Germans. Weird that as created in the 40s that that’s what takes to beat the Nazis.

I like girls that look like Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter. Brown eyes, red lips, slim fitting skirts, trim jackets, brunette. I’m a sucker for that look.

I keep wondering about the CG that created a scrawny Chris Evans. He’s like the mini Brad Pitt in Benjamin Buttons. Then he’s like a Chris Evans in Scott Pilgrim. Just plain funny guy. I guess it was good that Johnny Storm died as it would be confusing for an audience that will be watching the FFxAvengers cross-over.

Speaking of Avengers: Avengers Assemble! I’m psyched for it! Was Nick Fury supposed to be one of the army soldiers? Wasn’t the Captain fighting alongside Nick Fury and his howling commandoes in WW2? Was that black guy supposed to be Nick Fury? At least I thought so. When you caught a look at the Howling Commandos, did they remind you of Nick Rivers’ crew in Top Secret!?

The movie is not bad for a comic book movie. Could’ve used better writing but don’t all comic book movies need that? It’s on par with the Green Lantern but a step below Thor for this years comic book movies. Yet they all got the same rating.

3 of 5 stars

Super 8

broderic on June 13, 2011

After all the bombast of the latest summer films, Super 8 was a nice respite. It doesn’t hit you over the head with action scenes after action scenes, but it builds slow like films of yesteryear, the 70s to be exact.

It harkens back to lots of movies that occurred before the advent of Michael Bay. There is not much spinning or hyper-cutting or stupid action that happens for actions sake. There is a deliberate pace, a build up to the climax.

It’s an abandoned alien story with a modern twist. CG. It had some close encounters aspects, mixed with ET, some Goonies, some ID4. It was 1979. It was fun to bike to school, to your friends house, to town. Biking is good. It gets you around. Ask Elliot.

The alien was supposedly friendly. How friendly can you get stuck on this rock since Roswell.? He was also weird. I couldn’t decide what he was or if it was cool. Not really, but ET phone home right?

I saw this in a digital theatre and it was dark. Not the movie, but the projection. I should’ve watched the analog print. Better that way. Has this digital stuff been terrible especially with that 3D technology?

3 of 5 stars