X-men Origins: Wolverine, A Review

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (2009)
Directed By: Gavin Hood
Written By: David Benioff, Skip Woods
Plot: Wolverine tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Ryan Reynolds, Lynn Collins
Genre: ACTION/COMIC
Time: 1 hr 47 min
Comments: Call me shallow, but as a woman any movie that promises Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, and Gambit in a film gets an automatic go see. And no Gambit isn’t an actor, it’s Taylor Kitsch, but I have never really found him dead sexy until I saw trailers of him as Remy. Gambit was my first comic book crush, so while not exactly how I pictured him, I thought he’d do. But beyond the eye candy, I dig Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. And while the Xmen movies have been very hit or miss, my inner X-men geek was happy to see a new film. I based my excitement on the trailers and did my best to ignore the reviews before Carissa and I went. Admittedly my expectations were a bit low (how could they not be after X3), but I am also a fan of summer blockbusters aka the films that are like cotton candy. If I could see at a drive in it would be even better. Packed theatre. Check. Fangirls and Fanboys present. Check. Should work right?

It started off fairly well, the story of a young Wolvie and his older brother who later becomes Sabretooth, cool war montage and an origin story that was actually fairly entertaining. And then we get to the revenge bits which is not only overdone, but this time poorly done. The moment he gets his Adamantium skeleton it starts to get a bit bad. This is not just because they ruined Deadpool (Loved Wade. And yes Ryan Reynolds with swords makes me a very happy Smirking, and while the fight scene with Deadpool was entertaining, the rest of the Deadpool moments had me thinking WTF) and Gambit (could you at least have tried a Cajun accent and since when could Gambit walk on walls), but the plot gets really thin. Pacing gets a bit frantic and some of the CGI effects are really bad (Wolvie’s claws in some instances, the bad Xavier, etc) Suddenly it becomes the bad summer blockbuster where even though Wolverine is bad ass, the action sequences kind of make you roll your eyes they are so over the top, the dialogue gets a bit cheesy, and it turns into a ‘what superhero would you like to see in a film next?’

But there are some great things about the film. Danny Huston does a decent job as Stryker as does Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth (especially when I have Taylor Mane in my head as Sabretooth), though admittedly I didn’t think either one of them could be as much of a villain as we wanted or expected. There was never a moment of will Wolverine not win? I wanted more of Sabretooth. I wanted him to be more than just a one shot which is what he felt like. Maybe I am spoiled with films like the Dark Knight. I will say that Liev did a great job of doing the sadistic smirk. I just wanted more. I enjoyed Lynn Collins as well and Kayla’s relationship with Logan was believable. I liked her. I liked them. I even liked Lumberjack Logan.

As far as Hugh Jackman goes, he is Wolverine. He plays the part well and yes he looks very good playing it as well. And while I was a bit disappointed about Gambit (see above childhood crush), there was potential there. He has the charisma, though I would love to have more of that swagger. Unfortunately it just ended up like a cool cameo or would you like to see me in my own film sort of thing.

In all I liked the first half of the film, but the second half is fairly forgettable. It’s not a horrible film, but I wanted more out of it. As I said maybe I am a bit spoiled with some of the toher comic book film fare we have had in recent years. As much as I would love to say that eye candy makes a film, I am not that shallow. *smile* At least not this time. A worthy film to see, but I would go for the matinee because admittedly some of the action sequences are fairly fun on the big screen rather than waiting to see it on your small screen.

2.5/4 popcorns

Sunshine Cleaning - A Review

I do end up seeing quite a few films whether it is via the lovely thing called Satellite, Netflix, or yes even the theatre. I thought it was about time I actually start writing some reviews. So voila, hopefully the first of many.

SUNSHINE CLEANING (2008)
Directed By: Christine Jeffs
Written By: Megan Holley
Plot: A thirtysomething single mother whose boundless potential was squandered through a series of failed relationships and a misguided effort to help her younger sister succeed in life finds the fruits of her labors finally coming together in director Christine Jeffs’ dark family comedy. Back in high school, the future looked pretty bright for Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams); not only was she the cheerleading captain, but she was also dating the star quarterback. Flash forward a little over a decade, and Rose is working overtime in hopes of getting her son into a better school. Her sister, Norah (Emily Blunt), is still living at home with their father, Joe (Alan Arkin), a failed salesman whose penchant for jumping into get-rich-quick schemes has left the family without a financial net to fall back on. Rose may be down, but she certainly isn't out, and when she hatches a plan to launch a crime-scene cleanup business, the money starts rolling in. Sure, cleaning up murder scenes and suicide sites may not be the most glamorous job in the world, but death is a fairly profitable business, and as the phone keeps ringing, Rose and Norah finally begin to experience the closeness of sisterhood that has eluded them all these years while also providing their family with true security.
Starring: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub
Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: I saw the trailer a while back and thought it looked cute. Add the fact that is from the same people who brought me Little Miss Sunshine and I am even more intrigued (I love, love that film). It helps that it has a decent cast and the only thing I had to wait for is for it to come around to my neck of the woods. Thankfully I have a theatre that is willing to play some of the non-blockbuster type of flicks. Yeah.

It started off incredibly well with trailers like the Brothers Bloom and Away We Go. The movie begins with Rose (Amy Adams) and her life as a maid which is not exactly the life she pictured outside of high school. No matter what her bathroom mirror affirmations say she doesn’t feel like the all powerful goddess she is trying to convince herself she is. She is likable, sympathetic and I can relate to her just a bit when you realize your life may be a little different than you thought it would be after high school or University. She is looking for acceptance from everyone. Her sister Norah (Emily Blunt), on the other hand, doesn’t really care. She hates her pointless job as a waitress and has learned to accept that people expect her to mess up even when it is not her fault. She is quirky and snarky and isn’t trying to be anything for anyone or so she fools herself into believing.

Rose’s son has his own quirks as does the patriarch of the family. In short, this is a quirky family that in the end just wants to be happy. In that way they are similar to the family in Little Miss Sunshine (So much so that Alan Arkin plays, once again, an unconventional grandfather and it takes place in Albuquerque). You cannot help but like the family, see parts of yourself in them, wants to see them be happy even though this is only a brief glimpse into their lives.

But this isn’t Little Miss Sunshine. While there are the laughs and the quirks and such, there is sensitivity as well. It’s a fairly low key drama with sides of humor, nothing really going so over the top that you cannot find it believable. And in the end there is a bit more drama than I expected. Which isn’t bad. I believe Adams and Blunt as sisters. They work and as much as they infuriate one another, they love each other. I wanted to know more. I wanted to see more and that makes a good film.

They certainly tried to make another quirky film like Little Miss Sunshine. While, it didn’t quite hit the way that Little Miss Sunshine did, I did enjoy it. They’re different films, but they both have great casts. I liked it enough that I will probably pick it up when it hits DVD. Its worth watching if it comes to your theatre.

3.5/4 popcorns

Islanded in a Stream of Stars - A BSG Recap

After last week’s episode, which was made of awesome, I am not sure what to expect. Ack, why is this show ending. With Galactica falling apart, the end is coming. Makes a girl sad. As always spoilers if you havent seen this week yet.


Can I have BSG toys like Hera? I’d have my own little battles. Maybe incorporate some Firefly dinosaurs. It would be great.

Look at Galactica. The poor girl really is falling apart. All the wounds from the past four years, the scars and the wear and tear of it all. She was never supposed to be the home she has become. She was supposed to be a floating museum that tourists come and gawk at. And in this shot, you see the heavy toll reality has taken on her. Skin and bones. Makes me sad.

And still they try to fix her, to save her. Love this Six. I will call her pony six because of her ponytail. She has moxy. I like her. Stop your bitching.

John’s going to dissect Hera. Let’s hope not. She’s perfect on the outside, all cute and adorable. He doesn’t need to see her insides.

The Colony. Scuse me? So you would have us jump into a Cylon’s hornet nest for one solitary child. Umm..yeah, because cute adorable kids need to be saved. And bonus the Colony could be the Earth you’ve been looking for all along.

Kara the voice of reason to Lee. Usually it’s the other way around. But yes, something did happen. Hera knew the notes to a song, the notes to Kara’s father’s song, and maybe Daniel’s song. The song that led us to Earth. The song that activated the Five and the song that may help Kara understand who and what she is. Did I mention Hera’s just cute and adorable. I mean that other stuff helps, but cute and adorable = automatic save. Its right up there with baby animals.

In other words its our destiny to go and save her. Wrong. I've had it up to here with destiny, prophecy, with God or the Gods. Look where it's left us. The ass end of nowhere; nearly half of our people are gone; Earth, a worthless cinder; and I can't even walk down the halls of my ship without wondering if I'm gonna catch a bullet for getting us into this mess. Great line. And have some more booze Bill.

Look at me. Its not fair. My happy Agathon family is supposed to be the happily ever after.

I hate seeing this much pain. It just kills me.

The dreams are back. Maybe Caprica Six is saving Hera from the Cavil Eight.

Yeah, Roslin’s okay.

Frak.

Would he have saved her if she had been human?

61 Dead or missing. The mutiny only cost us 43 lives and Gaeta’s mutineers were a bit trigger happy on the Galactica population. And only 5 more jumps left before she tears in half.

Must be hard saying goodbye to all of your women at once. *sniff* Don’t say things like that. You must feel like we’re abandoning you. No, you just need a little more attention.

Its nice that they are bringing up the implications of Galactica’s possible demise. Galactica is the civilian fleet’s only means of defense and now it would mean using the Cylon Basestar (who only until a year ago were the reason why humanity is just a rag tag fleet of ships on the run) as the only means of protection and leadership. That’s huge. If I were the fleet captains I would be wary as well. But what can you do. Its not Galactica’s fault she is falling apart. She’s been taking the blows for all of you, saving your asses, but there is a price. Even the hero of the story cant survive all of the bullet wounds.

And now they’re excited to cannibalize her parts? First they don’t want her demise and now they are happy to have her demise if it means that their own ships will profit from it. Bastards. Yep, I’m bitter. I love my girl. Yes, practically and realistically it makes sense to salvage what you can. There is no home in sight and you need what you can. But its like grave robbers, stealing everything they can before the body can even grow cold. Especially after all that Galactica has done for them. She deserves more respect than that. And yes, she is like a character for me. Just like Serenity. Grrr….argh.

Gaius Baltar!?! Yeah, I hear ya Lee.

Angels take the form of those near and dear to you. To steer you back onto the road of redemption. Is that what Kara thinks? Does she remember now, her father’s face? Was it Slick’s? Is she angry at herself for not recognizing him? For not saying everything she wanted to? Does she think she is crazy?

I believe in these angels because I see them. Funny how head Six has gone from the sultry sex kitten in the red dress to wearing white. Her last dress was still sexy, but now she has this girl next door one on. Which I also love. I have said it before, but the Cylons get all the great dresses.

I haven’t decided to join your harem. Good for you Caprica. Its odd how estranged those two have become, so far from the Caprica and Baltar from four years ago.

But Gaius seems to feel her loss. You haven’t changed Gaius not really. But I have. And she really has. Then again Gaius has to, even if it is in small ways. Maybe it is me seeing the best in people, but I want the redemption for Baltar that he preaches to the masses. I want him to find peace.

Thank you for the privilege of finally being able to meet my father before I die. You shouldn’t be thanking me. I spent most of my life trying to kill your kind. *sniff*

I want my mommy. Take me home. I want my mommy. Oh poor Hera.

I really hate this Cavil Eight. A lot.

Pirate Saul is wondering where all the whiskey went. Why is all the whiskey gone?

You want to know who my family is lady? The people on this ship. I love that he called her lady.

You were my husband 2,000 years before you even met Bill Adama. But it really is just a number to Tigh. He doesn’t remember it all like Ellen does, only flashes that don’t make sense. To him it doesn’t matter that he is Cylon that believed he was human. He’s Tigh. Saul Tigh, second half of the TighAdama bromance, XO to a Battlestar that is falling apart and the guy who is trying to hold it all together and failing.

You’re wrong Saul. You had millions. Kind of hard to wrap your head around. Concept of being a father. With Liam, it was a concept he understood. But being the creator, the father to all of the models is difficult.

Hera can project too. Awesome.

Missed a spot. I love you Kara even when you are peeing. Snarky even from the john. Regularity. That must be important when you’re full of crap.

The only thing I know for sure is I’m not an Angel. What could Baltar’s tests prove. His Cylon detector was a sham anyway.

And yet in this shot they certainly make her look like an Angel. Subtlety is still not your strong suit BSG, but I love you anyway.

So they brought Anders to an immersion tank in Galactica. He’s Galactica’s hybrid. This must be hard for her. This is her husband. Her Sam. She talks about she once told him that she would put a bullet in his head if she ever found out he was a Cylon and then some frakker beat her to it, but how all she wants is to have him back. Human/Cylon doesn’t seem to matter because you are just Sam. You are my Sam.

Oh Kara, don’t do it.

Hybrid Sam wont let her. Reason function. Reason function. There’s that whole Kara Thrace is the harbinger of death thing again. He blinks and the lights flash. Oh Sam, will you save the Galactica or bring about its end with too many jumps.

I love it when Daddydama reads. So does Roslin.

Coddle wont mind. It’s medicinal. *grin* Remembering all of the plans they had, the cabin, a normal life, a happily ever after. Sometimes I wonder what a home is? I hear ya Laura. Home isn’t a place. It’s a feeling, a feeling of safety and belonging. Daddydama is home. Galactica is home. Its hard to leave home. *sniffles*

Baltar the scientist. We haven’t seen you in a while.

Anders really is Galactica’s hybrid. Theoretically he could jump, but the hybrids know better. There’s a hole in the bucket…dear liza. Dear liza. Yeah well its mah bukkit.

Projection cupcakes. I want one.

If I am supposed to feel something for Cavil Eight. I don’t.

Aw, Daddy Helo wants to find his daughter. Helo needs hugs. I give great hugs. Aw frak, don’t cry. Maybe it is a suicide mission, but at least give me the chance to do something. Something better than just sitting here waiting and doing nothing.

You outed Kara, you smarmy selfish bastard. And she knows it. He uses everything for his own needs. He really hasn’t changed. Caprica was right.

Not my Kara. Kara would have decked the frakker. But I think somewhere in there she's just given up. Part of her knew that Gaius would do it. Did she do it intentionally, just so that someone else knew? That she wouldnt have to hide it all.

Lee’s certainly thinking about the whole decking the egotistical cockroach.

This is all that matters. Aww, my Lee/Kara shipping geek is feeling all warm and fuzzy right now.

Yeah, I’d tap that too.

*shiver* Ugh.

You’ll have all sorts of new playmates to play with real soon. Huh?

You can put all the paint on her you want and she’s still broken Papadama. Tired and broken no matter how much she loves you.

*sniffles* Sad.

No, no stripping. No abandoning ship. Ack, this really is the end. This series is ending, an amazing tale. I’m not ready. I don’t want Galactica to end like this. I want her to go out on a blaze of glory. Pappadama, Laura in his arms, and blow frakking Cavil out of the sky so that the cycle will end. Because we know without his girls, Pappadama wont be the same. He cant survive losing them both. Let them all be together.

Great shot.

This week wasn't as great as last week's which has had repeated viewing, but it was still good. The end is so near. You can feel it in the storylines. Makes me all sniffly. So is Kara being an Angel, an illusion to a being of light or a hybrid? And can there be at least one more Kara/Lee makeout scene please, just for me?! What did you think?