The Walking Dead - Series [so far]

With one episode left of AMC's pretty awesome adaption of a comic book, The Walking Dead is shaping up to be a really amazing and captivating series. Episode 5 was perhaps the most emotionally charged episode the series has had. From start to finish it was packed full of moments that stood out. After what I thought was the biggest mistake of the season in episode 4 - the revealing of a lot more survivors then Rick and company - episode 5 clearly redeemed the series in a way that i felt was very successful.

The dichotomy between human versus zombie is not the key focus of this series which is steadily proven as human versus human becomes more clear. Shane plotting to kill Rick in the woods was a shining moment, but there have been many throughout the five episodes that have aired.

But the battle for retaining humanity does not mean the zombies take a back seat. The series meshes all of this very well together. There is still that constant threat of "Walkers" but also the threat of your fellow survivors.

AMC's The Walking Dead has already strayed from the comic book in several ways (very successful ways for the most part) so it is certainly going to be interesting to see where the series goes in it's next season. I will certainly be watching.

Skyline Does Not Deliver

Let’s just be blunt - Skyline was a direct to DVD movie with an exceedingly large special effects budget. The movie probably should not have been on the big screen at theatres across the country.
There have been many movies that showcased the battle for mankind against some extraterrestrial threat. Skyline barely compares to any of them. A large portion of the movie is spent in a high-rise penthouse and any attempt to escape is thwarted by the gigantic alien creatures. Humans can not win. Such a depressing concept, but it has quite the potential. This movie, however, did not use any of the potential that it had. Instead, we get bumbling humans that are impossible to identify with and seem to make stupid decisions one after the other.
One thing the movie has going for it, however, is it’s special effects. Despite the horribly boring story, the blue light the aliens generate and the aliens themselves are a terrifying, haunting beauty. From the flying aliens with multiple tentacles and brain snatching capabilities, to the monstrous walking aliens that leave destruction in their wake, to the massive regenerating spaceships, if there is one think Skyline got right it was their aliens. The controversy* surrounding these visual effects is almost forgivable by seeing them brightly on the big screen.
For such a “short” movie, clocking in at about 100 minutes, it seemed incredibly long and drawn out. As stated before, most of it took place in and around the penthouse which made the entire thing seem to stretch on for hours. A lot of the action sequences were even quite dull, only one scene seems to have actually been interesting.
This review is shorter then intended, but there honestly is nothing else to say about the movie. It was very simple, very boring, and very disappointing. Expectations were high for another, good alien invasion film. Skyline did not deliver and perhaps we better put our faith in the other, Los Angeles based alien movie releasing early next year.

*It is reported that Sony Pictures Entertainment is going to sue the directors of Skyline and Hydralux films because Sony paid Hydralux to create visual effects for Battle: Los Angeles and were not aware they were also creating the visual effects for the similar movie, Skyline.

Seventh Film is Exhilarating - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

It is the beginning of the end. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the seventh film in the Harry Potter series, bringing the events of J.K. Rowling’s last book to the big screen. After seeing the film and remember the outrage of the film being split - with many thinking Warner Brother’s was milking fans of money - the decision to have two separate films was a great choice. Now, instead of heavily rushed films like Order of the Phoenix and Half Blood Prince, viewers have a film incredibly rich with moments and scenes straight from the book making this the best Potter film out of all of them.
It is dark times. Voldemort is particularly powerful, taking over a great deal of aspects of the Wizarding and Muggle world alike. He dishes out Avada Kedavra curses like he’s handing out candy. He is terrifying, seemingly even making his own followers fear him which is evidence in the Malfoy family.
However, The Chosen One - Harry Potter - knows how to make the formidable Voldemort vulnerable again. That is why he and his two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, go on a quest to find the Horcuxes - objects that hold a piece of Voldemort’s nasty soul.
Deathly Hallows is a slow start to the epic finale of the movies, as it probably should be since it is setting up for the big showdown in Part 2. The dark tone of the movie allows viewers to feel the heavy emotion that is showing on screen. Even happy occasions are ruined by Death Eaters and we find the trio on the run, avoiding getting themselves killed. Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint deliver outstanding performances. Of course, they have had ten years to perfect their roles as the infamous trio. Radcliff said they gave it all they got for their last time playing these characters. It shows.
The movie is not all doom and gloom, however. The juxtaposition of the light hearted moments make the film even more believable, makes the audience feel even more connected to these characters. Use of comedic moments, either with dialogue or magical accidents, provide a nice break from the hardcore atmosphere of the impending doom of the Wizarding world. Fred and George, the hilarious pair of Weasley twins, always provide a laugh or two. Deathly Hallows allows others to provide some chuckles including Fleur Delacour/Weasley turned into a bra-wearing Harry via Polyjuice Potion.
Let’s talk about magic as it is not a Harry Potter movie without magic. Deathly Hallows does not have as much magic as the past films and magic is certainly not the focus of the movie. However the scenes in which use a great deal of magic, such as the chase scene near the beginning and the incredibly swirling mass of Voldemort’s soul coming out of the locket Horcrux, are very subtle yet effective moments that says “Hey, we know this is a fantasy, magical movie. Here’s your magic.”
Exhilarating. That is what Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was. Although probably the slower of the two movies, Part 1 was still a great ride for the audience. The movie is probably more suited for those who have been devoted to reading the books or a fan of all the movies, as this particular movie jumps right into the thick of things instead of explaining past events. And if you have not been apart of this phenomenon in some way, then why not? Pick up Sorcerer’s Stone and get started. You do not want to miss being apart of this.

The End is Near - Harry Potter's finale brings memories

I was twelve years old when I first read The Sorcerer's Stone. My good friend and partner-in-geeky-crime presented me with the book when we should have been listening to our teacher. I begin reading it right there in class - the rest is history as they say.

Now, nearly twelve years later, the series still enchants me and its millions of other fans across the world. From the books to the movies to the video games to the toys to the shiny new amusement park, Harry Potter is a phenomenon to be reckoned with.

And now the final movies are being release.

On November 19th, Part One of what is sure to be an amazingly accurate and action-packed finale begins. Deathly Hallows has Harry and company on the run from the powerful and intense Lord Voldemort. Part 1 will not show their final showdown, but it will not be a snooze. The first 24 chapters of the book is packed with situations and settings ranging from fight scenes on broomsticks to weddings to emotional deaths. Part 1 is sure to not dissapoint.

I am devoting the entire week to Harry.
November 15 - watching Sorceror's Stone and Chamber of Secrets
November 16 - watching Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire
November 17 - watching Order of the Phoniex and Half Blood Prince
November 18 - relaxing all day, taking an after noon nap, and going to a midnight release of Deathly Hallows Part 1!!!!
November 19 - possibly seeing the movie again with sane people who do not go to midnight releases

There are plenty of things I have left to do in this fandom, like visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida, but this movie brings tears. What has been twelve years of my life all comes down to seeing the seventh book come alive on the screen. It's incredibly, hauntingly beautiful, and I can not wait till midnight strikes on the 19th.