Life as a Dodson

Movie Review: Scorpion King 2

2009-12-10T11:31:00.000-08:00

Scorpion King 2 plays off of it's heritage from the first movie and the Mummy Trilogy. Although it deviates a great deal from the plot of the other four movies, it does have a similar thematic qualities that made the first Scorpion King popular. The plot line completely deviates from the original, it shares nothing in common except the world in which it takes place. It is also disappointing that the protagonist does not become the next scorpion king. Instead he is relegated to reluctant hero. If you enjoy a well made action flick then you will enjoy this, but if you were looking for something more, then you may be disappointed.

Movie Review: Observe and Report

2009-12-09T21:53:00.001-08:00

If you have conservative values then don't bother watching it, you'll be disappointed. Otherwise go right ahead.

Movie Review: Starship Troopers 2

2009-12-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

Starship Troopers 2 is the long awaited sequel to the original based on the book of the same name. The bugs return in the same capacity as before, but the main characters are different. No one returns in this sequel. The story line does fit in the same universe, but the change is disappointing. The troopers use guns that have cheezy light bulbs in the end of them. If you want to see the whole series watch it, if you want to see a continuation in plot then just skip tp the third movie all together.

Movie Review: Edward Scissorhands

2009-12-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

Edward Scissorhands is a classic movie about the fantastical that meets the everyday suburban life. A inventor makes a man named Edward and passes away before he is finished with Edward. It is a great movie that plays off of 1950's suburban stereotypes. It fits in the similar genre as other movies of the same period such as The Burbs.

Movie Review: Saints and Soldiers

2009-12-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

Saints and Soldiers is a movie placed in World War II Europe. American soldiers are slaughtered by the Germans that captured them. The survivors that ran are fated to find and report important information that would save thousands of American lives during the Battle of the Bulge. This movie was a low budget independent film that looks big budget and delivers high action with solid acting and plot line. I personally enjoyed this movie because it is about the men in the war. Not the opposite. If you want a high octane movie that delivers like a big budget flick then your in luck.

Movie Review: The Sound of Thunder

2009-12-03T20:48:00.000-08:00

The Sound of Thunder is a movie placed in the not so distant future. The concept behind it is the discovery of time travel and it's use as a fancy theme park ride by a greedy corporation. As humans discover time and again time travel should never be messed with, because it always changes things for the worst. During one of the jumps time is altered and it becomes an action packed race to put things back the way they belong.
Sound of
Thunder is a great movie in many respects. The Jumps are well done and the CG is good. The movie does however have several scenes where the characters are walking through the city and the CG does nothing but make the movie viewer feel like this was a low budget independent film. Great movie, just cut the useless cityscape scenes.

screen play reworked part

2009-12-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

"Eternity"

EXT: A FIELD. NIGHTTIME

GABIREL stands in the field. Clouds drift through the sky and the moon shines through them. The trees on the edge of the field blow in the wind.

GABRIEL walks out into the field. Head tilts back and he looks up into the sky.

Gabriel

Here I am come and get me already!

A large winged CREATURE races across the sky from the opposite end of the valley. The CREATURE dives from high in the sky down towards GABRIEL.

GABRIEL stands straight up and waits for the CREATURE.

The CREATURE lands making the ground shake. GABRIEL and the CREATURE lock eyes on each other. The CREATURE's eyes glow bright green.

The CREATURE roars.

GABRIEL falls backwards to the ground.

CREATURE opens it's mouth and moves in to inhale GABRIEL.

GABRIEL raises arm to defend himself.

CREATURE bites into GABRIEL's torso, then lets go. GABRIEL falls to the ground bleeding. The creature flies away.

GABRIEL (V.O.)

That was the first time that I met him. Samael. He is evil. He continues to be the being that evokes nightmares in everyone that comes across him. He nearly killed me that night. I only hope that next time we meet I am ready.

2009-11-22T11:22:00.000-08:00

An older gentleman walked into a drug store and asked to see the pharmacist. A hispanic woman in her thirties came up to the counter.
"How may I assist you sir?" she asked.
He frowned and said, "I need them Allegra pills I saw on TV."
"Do you have a prescription?" she asked.
"No," He answered. "I heard that they are the happy pills and I need'em because my sex life is in the crapper!"
"Did you mean viagra, Sir."
"No, Dammit I just need'em now!" The older man said again in protest. "Those viagra pills are pure hogwash anyway."

The Ramen Girl... the movie.

2009-09-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today I watched a movie called "The Ramen Girl" It is about a girl who comes to Japan to see her boyfriend, then he leaves her. It is a really interesting independent film that was inspired by a similar Japanese film called Tampopo I believe. During her trials she discovers a Ramen shop across the street from where she live. She quickly falls in love with the concept of becoming a Ramen Chef. The external conflict of the piece centers around the fact that Ramen is a field dominated by men. Very few women even Japanese ones become Chefs. I enjoyed the film because of the high quality of the actors and film production. I believe what happened is that the screenplay was effectively reproduced from the mind of the writer. One of the most interesting parts of the movie was the fact that there was a language barrier that slowly fell down as the movie went on. It was portrayed very well. I recommend this movie as a nice break from what Hollywood normally produces.

Procrastination at it's finest...

2009-08-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

Procrastination is one of the easiest yet most destructive things that we can do to ourselves. It harms us in many ways especially as writers. I am currently working on a novel that I am leaving unnamed at this point. This summer I said, "It will be done...It will be done."
It's not done by any stretch because I procrastinated on it. I did what had to be done and not much more. Sure it was more than most people would have done, but I know myself. I know what I can do. I did not accomplish it. I rationalized it. I told my self rational-lies. So now It will take me another year because I will be to busy working and trying to graduate school to finish the last two hundred pages. Sure the first hundred is done but now I need to procrastinate on my procrastination and get it done. At this point I should be giving you some really cool and interesting advice that is meant to inspire you and move you towards self actualization, but I cannot do that only you can. How bout a cliche instead. JUST DO IT.