Monthly Archives: December 2008
More Assassin Nations
Christo has been busy:
Kick ass and twice as cool. Enjoy.
Assassin Nation
My friend Christo Garcia has launched a new web series that’s well worth checking out. Very nicely shot, written and acted, these noir shorts have me hankering for more:
Let’s hope he keeps making them. Enjoy.
Fallen Heroes
Dear Heroes,
WTF? Seriously, I don’t know what else to say. I don’t mean to be a dick or anything, but WTF? What the hell is going on with you this season? You used to be one of my favorite shows. I believe I once said, “Heroes might be my favorite show of all time.” No longer. I recently tried to defend you, calling you a “guilty pleasure,” and even that’s probably a stretch. Lately, I’m just confused and annoyed. Stuff just happens each episode, and there seems to be no real reason for any of it. Are you jerking us around? Sylar was bad, and now he’s good. Now he’s bad again! I got your nose! Seriously, WTF? Another save-the-future storyline? Really? And then the eclipse? That turned out to be a very nice segue to nowhere. I’m not abandoning all hope for you yet, even if I should. Please turn things around soon. I would write more, but I’m too frustrated.
Sincerely.
The Forbidden Kingdom
The Forbidden Kingdom tastes a lot like a Happy Meal: familiar and fun but ultimately not that satisfying. The movie stars the kid from Sky High as Jason, along with Jet Li and Jackie Chan playing multiple roles. Jason falls through some sort of dimensional portal and ends up in a parallel universe version of ancient China. He must return a magic staff to the…
Whatever.
Essentially, the thin story nets us an enjoyable Jackie vs. Jet beat down, some impressive visual effects and Jason’s coming-of-age. Maybe I’m being too hard on it. I dunno. I did enjoy the movie, but I just didn’t care. Everything felt too uninspired and by-the-numbers, like a bunch of suits got together and decided to try to make the ultimate family kung-fu movie.
When I think about Sky High, I realize where my frustrations stem from. Sky High is a family-friendly take on superhero movies, much like The Forbidden Kingdom is a family-friendly take on kung fu movies. Fair comparison? Where Sky High managed to surprise me with its imagination, crack me up with its sharp writing and genuinely pull me in, The Forbidden Kingdom offered nothing new and had me checking my watch.
In short, rent Sky High.