Orange is the New Black (Season 1) - 2013

Created by Jenji Kohan

This show is created by the same woman that created Weeds - so I think however you felt about Weeds is probably how you're going to feel about this show. That's how I feel..

I never watched the rest of Weeds.. I finished Season 1, then started to crawl thru Season 2 little by little - wasn't too pumped anymore, and then I gave up and everyone tells me it wasn't worth it to keep up with Season 3 and so on..

After finishing Season one of Orange is the New Black - I am pumped to watch Season 2! So I hope the show won't take the same dive that Weeds did..

It is based on the true story of Piper Kerman - not going to explain too much except that I think it's interesting that the writing team is much smaller on this show than for House of Cards, and Piper Kerman is one of the top writers next to Jenji Kohan.

I got to say - this show worked it's magic TV skills on me harder than House of Cards did.. but the one bias I'll admit to is - I REALLY like jail shows.. I don't know why, please don't judge me for it if you are a psychologist. So I think that aspect gave this show gave it an upperhand in terms of getting me hooked. and by hooked I mean I watched the whole season 1 in ONE DAY (that's right - now you can judge the shit out of me)

The reason mention my bias is because there are a few things that bother me about the show, and I think if it wasn't about jail then I couldn't get past this : ITS SOFT

I felt the same way about Weeds - I was like, wtf? this chic never gets into any serious trouble? Maybe trouble is the wrong word, but what I mean is - there is not much 'dark' shit, and I like dark shit namean? Like Breaking Bad - dude is a drug dealer and kills two people right off the bat.. I know it's a different drug, but c'mon - did the woman in Weeds ever end of killing anyone? I gotta find out..

Sure I don't know what it's like to be a suburban white woman weed dealer or a skinny white girl in minimum security prison .. but I still can't believe some of the shit I see in both shows. For example, in Orange is the New Black - early in the season - the chic from That 70's Show (Laura Prepon) has beef with some crazy meth head girl.. and the meth head girl puts her in a dryer that doesn't work.. so she can't turn it on.. wtf? cry me a river, i was stuck in a dryer for 30 minutes.. then the meth head breaks Perpon's glasses?????? Are you serious? this is was girls do to each other in PRISON ?

My roommate reassured me that women war with each other differently than men... but breaking someone's glasses in prison? where are the shanks at? Watch the end of season 5 in Breaking Bad if you want to see what I'm thinking when I think of prison..

anyways - the woman characters in the show are awesome and yes - judge me some more - i was pumped to see some mild girl on girl stuff.. makes up for the lack of violence I guess?

but for real - the chic that plays crazy eyes (Uzo Aduba) she's awesome, and I love her character.

AND by far - best performance I think in the show is by Taryn Manning (go manning dynasty) She plays the crazy catholic meth head - and she does a good fucking job at it. I don't know much about this actress, so I don't know if this is a usual character for her.. but she looks way different in her imdb photos, and I always really like when an actor/actress plays a role and look almost unrecognizable in comparison to how they look for real.

Check it out - There is some slow shit sometimes, but it is cool to see a vast amount of different characters and explore how these women got behind bars in the first place - definitely something to be said/thought about - our judicial and correctional system. That's probably the best part of the show is just raising awareness in that department, especially in this country.

Orange is the NEW BLACK? is it tho for real? hmmmm interesting....... (as written by a white lady) - a lot of shit to talk about on some real level shit when it comes to this show. Another reason why I like it. YEDIGG

The Evil Dead - 1981

Directed by Sam Raimi

This was Raimi's first feature, a low budget horror film that was FUCKING AWESOME

As far as I know or what people told me anyways .. On IMDB there is a 70min movie called 'It's Murder' that I never heard of and there's not a lot of info about it on IMDB.. anyways - that came out in '77.. 4 years later he made a sick debut feature - NIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEE!

It was corny as shit, and I have yet to see the other Evil Dead's .. I'm interested to see what direction those films go.. BUT I LOVED IT and it was pretty brilliant all things considered.

I think it was corny because of the acting and the low-budget special effects, but I can't lie - was impressed with the special effects he did - like the tree rape scene - that shit was crazy.. and he got some actresses to put some good boob in the movie - bravo sir. (thinking back, I wonder if there is an evil dead porn remake type thing? trees raping girls and girls turning into demons?)

My favorite shit tho was definitely the camera work - there were a LOT of SICK shots in this flick. I also dug the sound effects big time! and just sound in the movie in general. For example, when they are driving up to the house - there is this horrible banging noise - bang, Bang, BANG - it was almost like a heart beat - and it was a part of the movie - they roll up and the banging noise is coming from the house they have to stay at - the wind is pushing the gate into another piece of wood (THE FREEZE FRAME IN THE YOUTUBE TRAILER IS RIGHT ON WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT)

Simple sound tricks and cool shots = good suspense. It was a great reminder that more often than not - simple is just better.

If you haven't seen this - then you should - it's Sam Raimi FOO !

Book Update

Recently finished book - 'Gang Leader for a Day' by Sudhir Venkatesh:

It was a nice easy read. Sociologist gets in with a gang syndicate in Chicago. It was interesting to see how similar these thugs ran their business to how any big business operates - same idea, different rules.. I wish more people had the perspective that the author gains and shares on this journey - might help people realize how hard some people have it.. even in our own country.

Recently finished Graphic Novel - 'FreakAngels' Written by Warren Ellis and Illustrated by Paul Duffield:

This is only a 6 book series - so it is also an easy read. It's about these kids with super powers - so you know it's right up my damn alley. If you want to check it out, you can read the whole series online for free: Freak Angels    ....  DOOO ITTTTTT !!! you spend so much time on Facebook and Twitter, take time to read a free graphic novel online you punk buster!

I also read the Graphic Novel - Secret history of The Authority: HAWKSMOOR by Mike Costa and illustrated by Fiona Staples and Cully Hamner

This one was about a guy that talks to cities - anyone who knows me knows why I read that. This is just one issue about a guy who appears with a group of heroes called The Authority - I wish there were more comics about this guy Jack Hawksmoor.. According to Wiki - Jack Hawksmoor first appeard in Stormwatch #37 and was created by Warren Ellis ... ? - sick super powers for sure

Dredd - 2012

Directed by Pete Travis

Looks like this guy was doing some TV before getting into the movie thing.

I saw this on DVD - bummed I didn't see it in theater because it was FUCKING AWESOME.

It's kind of like The Raid: Redemption ... which ... WHOA WTF? I Know I watched The Raid and I'm not seeing that I wrote about it??? Well GO WATCH IT CUZ IT WAS SICK - it's likd Dredd only with lots of kung fu involved and some SICK SHOTS - FOR REAL actually, youtube it. I don't want to get too off task about Dredd due to my own incompetence..

Anyway - Dredd and his rookie officer - she's hot (Olivia Thirlby) they get locked in a giant project building and have to shoot their way to the boss who is on the top floor - FUCK YEA

Dredd really surprised me with how cool it was. Again - SOUTH AFRICA - HOLLAAAA : They filmed a lot of the movie in Johannesburg South Africa - that's fucking awesome!

The lead is the doctor from Star Trek: Karl Urban - and he was a good badass.

There was plenty of action and badass onlines plus shooting and blood and SLOW MOTION MAFAKA

The villains deal a drug called 'Slo-mo' and when you inhale it (they do it with inhalers) your life basically turns into slow motion: that was fucking cool to see in the movie, they did a good job with the slow mo.

The woman that plays the actress is BAD FUCKIN ASS: Lena Headey (and she's hot) and she was a sick villain.

If you haven't seen this movie yet - see it. It's on DVD now (and I heard Netflix too) but I peeped the Behind the Scenes, and there's a lot of cool shit about how they shot it on 3D and how they did the Slo Mo (you could probably see it on youtube)

I gotta say tho - There were some shots in The Raid that took it to a level/direction that Dredd just didn't even try to go to. See both movies back to back !! HALDUKKENNN !

Elysium - 2013

Directed by Neill Bloomkamp

YEA SOUTH AFRICA (too bad they didn't film in SA..)

This guy Bloomkamp was a 3D animator for Stargate SG-1 at the age of 18 in '97 - that's pretty boss.

I loved so much - I guess I'd round up to everything. Saw it IMAX and NOT 3D - best decision I've made all summer. Got to see it before it came out, homie had the hook-up! Sat in the front row - That's how I like watching IMAX (or at least damn near the front)

Favorite character - villain, duh - he's a Badass South African white boy (i was thinking that might bring back some bad memories for South Africans that watch the movie who had experiences with dudes like that) Maybe that's the point?

Sharlto Copley - The Man. I'm pumped on this actor - I hope I don't have to wait for Bloomkamp to drop another epic before I get to see this guy in movie again! He was a crazy mafaka in this flick - GOOD crazy - I think I'd say I haven't seen this good of crazy since Heath Ledger's Joker in the Dark Knight?

I did read one article someone wrote that expected more from the film - their major complaint was that there wasn't enough experience with the 'futuristic' world and that we should've seen more of what life is like on Elysium. I could agree, it would have been cool to see more of that - maybe these 13 hours TV show marathons on Netflix are spoiling us?

 You wanted to see more? - This movie was just THAT GOOD, SORRY SON - GO SEE IT IMAX

Matt Damon had a few cornball moments - what good futuristic action flick is without some cornball ass moments?

I hope you get to see it on the big screen before it's theater run is over - In fact - I don't know why I'm typing this shit when I could just go watch it again myself.

Breaking Bad (Season 5) - 2012-

Created by Vince Gilligan

There's a big writing and directing staff again - niiccccce.

All I really gotta say is - duh -It's on netflix son, what are you waiting for? 

I got pandora going right now and Guess Who just came on with 'Time of the Season'

What's your name? Who's your Daddy? Is he rich like me?

Now me AND pandora is telling you to watch it.

House of Cards (Season 1) - 2013

I'd say big names are: Kevin Spacey (Lead and EP) & David Fincher (Directed 1st 2 Epi.'s & EP)

There is a big Writing and Directing team for this show - that's pretty dope.

I feel like TV is on the come back, there's a ton of good shows. I can't remember if I saw an interview or read an article where Kevin Spacey was saying he's interested in it because the way people watch TV now has changed. Fincher backed up by saying a good TV shows are fun because it's like a long feature - and you get to go more in depth with all the different characters.

I never got as religious about TV shows as I know some people have (LOST fans for example). For me, I won't get up and walk away from a movie - but I run out on a show to pour Tea and shit.. I guess that's the trade off for sitting and dedicating a lot more time into watching 4 or 5 hour long episodes? It reminds me of that video game SIMS where you spend HOURS just watching other people live.. it's awesome for some reason.

This show was iiiiight - I love watching anything about dirty politicians - makes me feel better about being paranoid. 

It's worth checking out - see if the TV show magic will work its spell on you or not.

Man of Steel - 2013

Directed by Zack Snyder

Saw it IMAX 3D - the 3D was unnecessary..

At the end I just had a head ache - brings to mind - best 3D I've seen in a while was the opening scene in Star Trek 2.

This movie was sick! I didn't feel the 3 hours - but at the end it was like, all you had to do was snap his neck? You smash thru buildings and beat the fuck out of each other - then snap his neck?

Why didn't that mofo snap superman's neck in the first place?

Villain was dope - Michael Shannon - I like that actor.

If you haven't seen it - I hope there is still time for you - IMAX, no 3D

Zero Dark Thirty - 2012

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

I was surprised at my reaction to the first 20min of the movie - I thought it was pretty disturbing. I guess I was surprised because I am usually down to watch gory bloody movies where tons of people are slaughtered and in terrible ways.. I guess knowing that the torture they were doing is probably similar to what actually went down many times to several people, and that this is what we are still doing in current times - that shit disturbs me. But I don't want to complain too much about it, because I respect that it was disturbing and that it was in the film - I think people should watch it and be disturbed.. might give people a better idea about why the whole world hates the USA..

I do have to say, it is gripping enough to make me see the movie thru to the end - which is good on their behalf, because the rest of the movie kind of sucked. I mostly put it in the DVD player because I wanted to see the hollywoodified attack on bin laden at his compound. Unfortunately that scene only appeared in the last 20 minutes of a fucking 157 min movie..

why the fuck do people think they gotta make 3 hour long movies? I had to watch the same repetitive shit for TWO HOURS before I get to see the shit I really wanted to see? wtf Kathryn?

I will spoil one thing - the end of ambiguous as to the state of the lead characters mind - and I thought that shit was cool as fuck. And on that note - the characters in this film are quite interesting (minus when they are repetitive and I'm like, why the fuck is this shit 3 hours???) and I always love a movie with some good dynamic characters. But the ambiguous ending with the lead at the end was dope.

If you haven't seen it - I would say you should, but I can't haldukken this thing thru your face because I don't have enough energy to send a 3 hour haldukken your way unless it's fucking Superman yedig?

Full Metal Alchemist - 2003 to 2004

Directed by Seiji Mizushima

Primarily written by Hiromu Arakawa

If you watch the youtube clip you'd understand why I was interested in this. That, and I was reading a book about alchemy at the time..

I liked the show a lot - although there were a few too many filler episodes (semi-expected).

There is a decent handful of 'elderly-wisdom' packed into the show that is right up my alley - probably the third main reason I decided to check this show out.

And I can say - the end of the season is awesome ! There is only one season I think, so it was kind of like a very long anime movie I suppose.. but the end did not disappoint (which is impressive for a TV show I'd have to say)

If you never seen it - check it out, the episodes are only 20-some minutes.. but I would suggest learning a thing or two about alchemy first, otherwise you probably won't like it at all.

eeer youknowwhatimsayinn

haven't seen any new movies lately, this shit is funny tho - from Trailer Park Boys:

 I haven't watched the show from start to finish, but the episodes i've seen here and there are pretty funny.

Mama - 2013

Directed by Andrés Muschietti

First time Director ! (according to his resume on imdb) Executive Produced by Guillermo del Toro!

FUCKING SICK - it looks like he made a short film with this concept in 2008, five years later drops an epic feature - good job Muschietti !

Everything production wise is fucking sick in the movie - and the acting is good too.

This movie was not what I was expecting to see (I didn't see a trailer, a friend just put it in) and that was a great surprise because the concept was fucking awesome !

If you like scary/thriller movies - you need to check this out asap

Tombstone - 1993

Directed by George P. Cosmatos

FUCKING AWESOME - director died in 2005 RIP and thank you for Tombstone!

This movie is money - another movie I've seen bits and pieces of that I decided to watch all the way thru and I'm damn happy I did!

I think the cowboys could've looked a little meaner - idk much about them (besides the little bit I read on Wiki after watching the movie and needing to know more) - but I read a book called 'Blood Meridian' that was about a crew of some mean mofos, and when I saw the 'cowboys' I thought they were going to be more like the crew from that book I read.. but maybe that's just not how they were? I guess it's hard for anyone to be intimidating when you got Doc Holliday sitting in your corner.

Val Kilmer plays probably now one of my favorite characters in a movie of all time. I knew nothing about Doc Holliday before I saw this movie, and all I can hope is that he was as badass as Kilmer played him!

"You look like somebody just walked over your grave"

epic, haldukken, all of the above, see this movie god dammit

Half Baked - 1998

Directed by Tamra Davis

I have seen bits and pieces of this over the years, but I finally sat down and watched it. It's pretty funny, but I don't think it's on the same level as what Chappelle and Brennan were doing during 'The Chappelle Show' ..

One thing that kind of bummed me out too is the production value. I felt like the movie was a long skit, instead of a feature film..

I think Guillermo Diaz was my favorite actor/character in the movie - he's fucking hilarious.

The movie was funny, you should watch it, but it wasn't as funny as 'Friday' namean?

Star Trek Into Darkness - 2013

Directed by J.J. Abrams

IMAX 3D mafaka ! Go see it before it's too late!

Burma VJ: Reporter i et lukket land - 2008

Directed by Anders Østergaard

This was a documentary about secret/undercover reporters in Burma during the times of the controversial 2007 riots against the military rule in Burma (now Myanmar)

This was a good documentary - and I learned a lot about a country I've never heard of (maybe because I'm ignorant, but I don't think i'm the only american that has never heard of Burma)

I think every camera operator in the world should watch this film - it was (probably still is) illegal for these kids to be filming shit - one tourist with a camera from Japan was killed for busting out his camera in a protest/march that turned into a shit show with the military and police. Despite the risks, these guys were getting really good shots and coverage of the events that took place. One guy even filmed the cops emptying his apartment of computers and equipment when he came home to find his spot was being raided.. what a boss!

The movie is interesting and quick paced - check it out

The Way Back - 2010

Directed by Peter Weir

This film was pretty cool - the locations were fucking awesome - these guys walked from Siberia to India, so expect to watch a national geographic type filmed movie of ed harris and other people walking for a fucking long time.

honestly - there was not enough conflict in this film for me. It was based on a true story of some people that walked very fucking far to escape communism during WWII - and it was an epic story for sure, but they couldn't hollywoodify it at all? I was waiting for them to get chased by soldiers or bounty hunters or even animals.. but it never happens.. they just keep walking.

There were a ton of impressive shots with beautiful landscapes.. but I would rather watch Planet Earth - at least they have a narrator who drop knowledge on me while I watch that stuff.

There was no reason this movie had to be 2 hours long. This guy Peter did direct 'The Truman Show' - which I loved - but that was a more than a decade ago.. Thanks for sharing this epic tale of walking with us Peter, but next time make it an 80 minute movie for fuck sake.

The Guillotines - 2012

Directed by Wai-Keung Lau (as Andrew Lau)

movie originally called Xue di zi (duh)

again - had to see some killing after that first plane movie..

This movie had okay cgi - could have been better.. I'm glad I didn't see this 3d.

The story was actually pretty awesome - kind of a Robin Hood type of deal, only based in ancient China when gun powder was just being introduced. There were however MANY corny ass moments, but it was okay because I was able to laugh at those moments, as opposed to hate them. Towards the end people were dieting back to back and in slow-motion - it reminded me of the few Bollywood war movies I've seen where the lead characters have epic death scenes at the end..

The fight scenes unfortunately were not extremely amazing, but the story and visuals were enough to compensate - the visuals by the way were really fuckin good. and the sets/locations and costume work and extras were fucking awesome.

and THANK GOD - the end was EPIC! haha I don't know why I need epic endings, but I do. The end of this film did not disappoint - people died that should have died, and then there was a great act of bravery and courage at the end that was inspirational and maybe even worth a haldukken - I can't give the whole film a haldukken cuz the amount of corny-ness should have been snipped out and added to the deleted scenes section.

You should watch this, and brace yourself to laugh at corny shit from time to time

When Wolf Falls in Love with Sheep - 2012

Directed by Chi-jan Hou

originally called Nan fang xiao yang mu chang

So on the way home from SE Asia, I decided I still want to watch Mandrin movies.. are you shocked? I could have watched Life of Pi, or Django Unchained.. Asian persuasionn babyyy

I decided to give a love story movie a chance again - wanted to see what asian movies are like when they aren't bloody war or kung fu films.. This film was pretty good. There were a lot of stop-motion scenes that I thought was pretty cool and different, and there was a lot of animation intercut here and there - sometimes an animation on a page that a character was looking at would come to life.

The visuals were great, the colors were awesome, and I liked the amount of 'moving image' methods that were combined with cinematic film making - it was inspiring.

The story is nice - like Touch of the Light - a cute little love story. Lots of strange and comical behavior and scenes.

The major let down was the end - this kid is confronted by his ex, and they had what I thought was the lamest conversation in the world.. I won't say more in case you decide to see this film (which I would recommend because it is cinematically great and the characters are funny too)

it was then that I noticed this seemed to be a pattern for the other two asian films I recently saw.. what the hell? have these directors ever seen IP Man?? I guess they are boycotting epic ending right now, not something I'm into, but the movie was good overall. Check it out mafakaz.

Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan - 2007

Directed by Sergey Bodrov

Second movie I watched on the plane - not exactly Mandrin, but I needed some killing after the first movie..

This movie was fucking awesome, the landscapes are amazing and the shots are sick. The story is also pretty badass and I love the lead actor playing Genghis Khan - Tadanobu Asano - he does stoic real well.. and I found out he's the villain in 'Ichi the Killer' (he's also in 'Thor')

His acting was probably the better part of the film. I thought the film was a little strange.. it takes place over practically the whole life of Genghis Khan - except the part where he invaded China - it was more like everything that lead up to that.. and it was a great/interesting story - but there sometimes it would get slightly confusing when there would be a jump through time.

The ending was a little bit of a let down - unfortunately I can't exactly remember why - probably phased it out of my mind, but I remember the movie ended and I was like - that's it huh? maybe I wanted to see him invade China..

I would suggest checking this out if you got two hours or however long it is to spare - it's a great epic movie that you'll be glad you watched, but then you might never watch it again.

Touch of the Light - 2012

Directed by Rong-ji Chang

The real title is Ni guano fei xiang apparently..

So since I was flying to Taiwan, I decided it would be a good idea to watch Taiwanese and Mandrin films to practice Mandrin namean?

This movie is about a blind piano playing prodigy in Taiwan - Huang Yu-Siang - who actually played in the film as himself (never would've guessed until I just recently read that fact on IMDB)

It was a good movie - I was inspired and slightly bored at times to see so many long takes.. but mostly inspired because I am not a major fan of super fast cutting, so long takes are refreshing to see in my humble opinion.

The movie might have been slightly longer than it needed to be, and I think the girl character's story was slightly underdeveloped.. or maybe I just wanted to see her in the movie more because she's hot?

I do have to admit that this is supposed to be an inspirational story, and I didn't feel too inspired at the end.. I think because a lot of things worked out pretty well and easily for the characters.. but it was a nice movies regardless.

would I recommend it? definitely if you like music, and probably if you like cute love stories.. not really if your looking to have your mind blown like a giant haldukken to your brain.

5 months later...

So I feel like I should do some explaining for my two fans :

Jan. I worked on a feature that dominated the whole month, watched no movies.

Feb. worked on my own movie for the whole month, watched no movies (as far as i remember)

Mar. Went to FL for a film festival for 'Cubamerican' - a documentary that got into Miami International Film Festival that a friend of mine edited, and I was in the credits for getting some pick up shots in NY. Came back to NY for a few days, then went back to FL again for some family time. - watched no movies, but tried to get my sister hooked to Avatar the Last Airbender (cartoon obviously - fuck the movie)

April. soon left to SE Asia to DP a television pilot about healing. It was an amazing trip, and I finally got to watch some movies (on the plane)

Ted

Directed by Seth MacFarlane

Saw Ted while I was away for xmas vaca.

This movie was pretty hilarious - I would recommend you watch it and laugh your ass off. The cgi was pretty good (and I was a little worried about that)

The end was corny - I thought the bear should've been dead forever.. but that's just me