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Archive for April, 2009

Review: Battlestar Galactica Season 1

22 Apr

So, two of my friends, neither of which know each other and they are vastly different people, have highly recommended Battlestar Galactica to me. Stuff like, ‘I can’t believe YOU have not seen it’ and ‘Trust me, go watch it’ were said repeatedly. Well, I finally netflix’d Season: 01. And all I have to say really is…

WOW. They were right.

If you enjoy Sci-Fi, Firefly, Star Wars, or any kind of adventure that is well told… you are going exceedingly enjoy BSG. I am pumped to start season 02 as soon as possible! Only one or two of the episodes in season 01 were meh. BUT sooo many of them were OMG amazing.

For those who are curious, there is 3hrs of miniseries to watch before season 01 (It is Disc one of the DVD set). This is a really good test to see if you are interested in BSG. The cinematic style of the miniseries was stunning. Whoever was the director of photography on set knew his/her stuff many of the shots were admirably composed. In my humble opinion, this simmers down after the miniseries when the regular ‘season’ starts. It’s still good, just not fantastic.

My ONLY grips are the following:
1. The bumpers: I don’t like how part of it is a preview to the show… I’m the type of guy that can guess a lot of what will happen in a preview.
2. The bumper also doesn’t do the show justice! The show is amazing and the bumper is subpar.
3. The camera movement style when in space (DURING NON COMBAT SCENES) is a clear rip off Firefly, with the exception that Firefly did it perfect.

That all being said, the stuff that BSG does right frakin blow the cons out of the water.

The acting is VERY good. In particular the women are delivering an excellent performance. Mary McDonnell and Katee Sackhoff blow me away. Katee is playing the tomboy tuff guy err girl, that so many movies and TV shows ruin. Most of the time this type of character is horribly written and the acting performances are even worse. This is not the case with Katee, bravo. Mary McDonnell, this woman knows how to carry a presence of well balanced power and wisdom. The stunning Tricia Helfer is a pleasure to watch and she is doing wonders with her character. The men do well also. Dr. Gaius, James Callis’ character has nice depth and complexity which he delivers wonderfully. Edward James Olmos should be mentioned as well. His performance as Admiral Adama displays a calm power, a prescience that demands respect, and makes me believe that he is the man in charge. Bravo to you actors and actresses.

The plot is solid. And unlike some shows I am watching now (cough *HEROES* COUGH) it has DIRECTION! I feel like the story is building and going towards a common ending point. I want to know how it ends but I am more focused on the journey that the story will take me on! What will happen to the characters! Ok, I am off to another episode. Season 02 starts now!

Good Hunting.

 
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Posted in Review: TV

 

Adam Raised A Cain

07 Apr

When I heard about Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, I was VERY excited. The Terminator was an epic movie in 1984, and then in 1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day amazed audiences all over again. Personally I thought T3 was so-so.

But this was a TV series!

Adam Raised A Cain, Season 2: Episode 20 literally gave me chills three times! The acting took another step forward and is starting to really shine! I would like to see Lena Headey tuffen up just a bit more in the ‘non action’ scenes; her desire to kill no one is straying from the Sarah Conner badass established in the movies. The direction the story is going has a very nice pace to it and hats off to the directors/producers for taking the route they have. Between the chills, my jaw dropped.

I do not think this episode would have nearly the same impact on new viewer. However, I give this season two thumbs up so far! Sarah Connor Chronicles have just moved past Heroes, The Simpsons and The Office!

Watch the episode below! But I strongly suggest watching past episodes first (currently Hulu goes back to Season 2 Episode 11).

 
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Posted in Review: TV

 

Kings Firecrackers (Ninjas With Jump Ropes)

03 Apr

Ok, apparently I went against the grain in 2008. I was training with my ninja stars and throwing knives all year when aparently we were suppose to have a year of peace. I guess the idea of 2008 for all ninjas was to put down our weapons and pick up jump ropes.

The Kings Firecrackers got the newsletter.

 
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Posted in Lifestyle

 

Book Review: The Visual Story

01 Apr

The Visual Story by Bruce Block

The subjects covered in this book are CRITICAL to all artist, Photographers, Painters, Game Designers, and Videographers. We must have a good grasp of fundamental principles concerning visual structure.

The Visual Story by Bruce Block reads a lot like a textbook. Since I prefer a book to come across as if hearing some guru on the subject teach me, this is a con. That being said, it is an excellent textbook. In the early chapters it sets stages for fundamentals like Contrast/Affinity and Space for example. Then, throughout the book it constantly refers to these pillars of visual design giving real world examples.

Which brings me to my next point, the examples this book gives are superb. Bruce Block will cover a subject, like TONE, for an entire chapter and at the end he will bring the lesson full circle by giving you ‘films to watch.’ But wait! The films that Bruce recommends vary extensively! In the TONE chapter, ‘films to watch’ include the movies T-Men (1947) and Kill Bill (2003) [plus a handful more]. Using this layout, Bruce is able to convey that the subject matter for each chapter is TIMELESS! His example movies transcend not only time released, but also subject matter and themes.

This book really shines with its illustrations. An absolute ideal amount of visual aids are delightfully displayed throughout the book. Not too many, not too few. Even the graphs (which typically aren’t the most exciting graphical element) had a proper layout. I seem to remember running across somewhere that the first edition of this book was all black and white, wow. GREAT move going to full color, I can honestly say that this book would have not been nearly as impacting. I do have a problem with the cover art though, it’s a small gripe but I always use my hands to frame a picture in widescreen (thumbs to index fingers). That is very nitpicky but the cover to a book is pretty critical, and since it aced the illustrations in the book, I wanted to mention it.

Early in the book it can seem a bit drawn out and basic. I would encourage readers to not skip the beginning chapters as they are constantly referenced throughout the book. Even if you feel you have a fantastic grip on the subject matter, it never hurts to review.

The appendix is very detailed and honestly, it feels like these were sections of chapters pulled out to keep the pace up a little. Regardless, this section is full of info that needs to be read.

Chapter Nine is Story and Visual Structure. I have a post-it note sticking out of this with “fantastic chapter” written on it. Seriously, this graph filled chapter will change the way I look at all productions and will effect my planning and execution for the rest of my professional career.

I was going to give The Visual Story 4.5 out of 5 stars but realized the impact this book has on my future work and decided it deserves my highest recommendation. Full 5 stars for Bruce Block. It may feel a bit ‘text-booky’ but it has certainly changed my work process.

Bravo Bruce this Monkey feels more like a Ninja. Monkey Butler Ninja gives The Visual Story 5 out of 5 ninja stars and a banana tree! Go BUY IT!

 
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Posted in Review: Books