Stargate: Creative Conceptualization

 

          

Star gate was a well-conceptualized movie that stepped away from traditional sci-fi thrillers. It had new ideas of not only super-technology and portals to other worlds, but also how all this information ties back to our understanding of ancient Egypt and its gods.

Roland Emmerich directed Stargate in 1994 and this story revolves around the scientists and military working together as they discover a portal to another planet that also has humans on it. We can see from background details that the planet is near Saturn. At the arrival of the military personnel, Col. O'Neil, and Daniel Jackson (scientists), we see a poverty-filled and primitive desert setting. Its people don't speak English, but eventually welcome them to their homes and customs. Here a wicked scheme unfolds and the discovery of the existence Ra (Egyptian god) is proven. 

This movie develops great character connection as well as interconnected social interactions of numerous characters. Each interaction shows every characters weaknesses and strengths and helps develop their personality. We also get a view of a different kind of slave culture under the servitude of Ra. It was neat to see new ideas placed in the movie that added significance, such as the banning of reading and writing. I like the concept of how Ra is related to the Egyptians and seeing what his role is on this planet, but character concepts were somewhat cliche.  Of course there was the geeky scientist that nobody understood, the trigger-happy military personnel, and the soldier who lost everything. Yes, these characters do work, there is a reason for the re-occurrence of cliches, because they do work. I just would have liked to see some more different characters with less cliche characteristics such as Skaara. He was a great character, at one point a naive child and at another a rebellious slave. He transformed and developed into a great detailed character concept.

 

I also had some issues with special effects. I do understand this movie was not created at the prime of technological advances, but some of the ideas used made no sense. For example, Ra's guards (different Egyptian gods)  had strange helmet placements and there's no way they could see through them!It also made sense how masks simply "disappeared." Costume design could have been significantly improved to make sense. 

I do feel that this movie did have great emotional appeal. I felt bonded with characters and really wanted the best for them. The slaves captured your heart and I wanted the reign of Ra to end once and for all. I wanted to cry at O'Neil's lost son and I wanted the relationship Daneil built with Sha'uri to work out. 

Special effects                   6.5

Acting                                  9

Story line                           8.5

Character development      8.5

Emotional appeal                   9

Conceptual ideas                   9

Total                                 50.5/60

Awesomeness Meter  Daniel Status (he was a cool character who we grew attached to, but was too cliche. I felt by fixing a few minor details would have been a significant improvement, but I loved his role in the movie with new concepts. I recommend this movie to everyone, it's a great movie to rent for a movie night). 

Avatar Confusion!

A look a James Cameron's "Avatar"

Scenes Like this one are visually appealing with a definite "awe" factor.

 

 Avatar is a series of complex story created by James Cameron in 2010. It's interconnected story lines take you through the magical world of Pandora. With awe inspiring special effects and countless thought out details, this film captured the hearts of people all over the world. The new conceptual ideas are the main focus of this movie, and Avatar takes its audience into this story to gain an understanding of other cultures (even if they are not from this world).

We are introduced to the NavI people who populate Pandora, they are blue, agile, and taller than the human species. The Avatar program is when scientists create a Navi body designed to be a genetic match to that of a human. The scientist then have a "linking process" in which a human conscious can control a Navi body. Jake Sully is an ex-marine who's twin brother was in the Avatar program. Only one avatar body can fit one person's genetic code, so when Jake's twin dies, Jake is hired to fill take his position to control his own Avatar. From there we are taken along the journey of cultural clash, the mistreatment of outcasts, as well as  a battle between scientists and business men out in search of money.

The first thing that I noticed and continually was amazed by was the special effects. The creature designs, music, plant life, and even machinery never stopped filling me with awe. James Cameron invented a world of vivid color and new concepts such as the "Halleluiah Mountains" which float in midair! The entire planet looked creative and realistic.

 

 As much as I liked the culture Cameron created and the entire atmosphere Pandora is, I found some parts to be too cliche or corny. For exapmle, the scientists who constantly are battleing the big corporate boss in search for "Unobtainium" (corny name!!!!) Of course the corporate man just wants money, the scientists just want knowledge, and the military just want to blow shit up (with the exception of Trudy). I'm confused that such a rich and creative culture of the Navi can be wonderfully created (Like the tendrils that come out of Navi hair the connect with the world) and yet there are such careless cliches with some of the main plot. I do enjoy greatly how characters were developed though. It was designed to make you have a lasting connections with Jake, the scientists, and the Navi, while pit you against the corporate jerks and the majority of military fighters (again with the exception of Trudy). 

 Special effects                    10

Character connection           10

Plot originality                       6

Planet and creature

creativity                              10

Conceptual ideas                   7

Total:                           43/ 50               

Awesomeness Meter:   Thanator Status!!! (This panther-like creature was visually stunning with many thought out details and snagged your attention with its thrill, but was still only a creature; it had potential for so much more. I recommend this movie as a definite watch, but maybe just once.)

 

Instant Gut-Wrenching Classic!

The Walking Dead: Pilot Episode

This suspense packed and thrilling show instantly grabs your attention with guts and gore as well as an emotionally in depth storyline. This Pilot episode is how new television series should start out!

Every twist and turn pulls your attention in this post apocalyptic zombie invested world. This introduction episode was artistically graphic and not made for the squeamish! Developed by Frank Darabont and first released to the public eye in 2010, this gut-wrenching show made it to be an instant classic. Its subtle details help create a connection of various story lines that are interesting to follow and exciting to watch. The detailed connection between characters give this show the "OH SHIT" factor fans have been looking for.

 We first follow the story of a cop, and encounter the first shooting of a zombie child. If the lack of music didn't have you holding onto your chair, the moment the child zombie turns around with her half eaten face will have you holding onto you chair for dear life with suspense. The flashback makes up most of the episode and gives its audience a full understanding of what the hell happened. We see major character struggle, as well as lack of name dropping. So then when when the audience figures out who certain characters are and the naughty things they've been doing, we say "OH NO SHE SHE DID NOT!!!" The character development was fantastic and we see a massive display of realistic emotions that were well acted throughout the show. 

The suspense, the terror, plot line, and well executed details all help to create a network of complex background stories of characters and why the zombie apocalypse occurred. The creators used massive, but very subtle, hints that foreshadow survival tips as well as events that could occur. This leaves viewers constantly thinking and keeping us on our toes! 

Don't even get me started on special effects! It was gore-filled and I loved it! The special effect make-ups on all the zombie were flawless and creative. It pushed the boundaries of disgusting and realistic. The shooting and killing scenes were purposeful as well as visually intriguing. I could not look away now matter how disgusting it was! Over all the details that created a massive web connections was fantastic!

Character Development:           10

Special effects:                         10

Acting:                                     10

Storyline:                                  9.5

Thrill and Suspense:                  9.5

Total:                                  49/50

Awesomeness Meter: T- Virus Status (This means the show seeped into my very being and turned me into a super fan as the T-Virus turned everyone into mutant zombie in "Resident Evil." I recommend it to everyone, but this show is not for the faint-hearted or squeamish. See it now!!)

Movie Evaluation!!

Star Wars VI Return of the Jedi

 

In the year 1983 an amazing movie was released to the public. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is an action packed and suspense-filled conclusion to George Lucas' Star Wars series. This movie are the epitome of a classic science fiction film. While evaluating this film I watched for complexity in both the main storyline as well as side stories, character development and depth, quality and use of special effects, fluidity and creativity in battle scenes, emotional appeal to the audience, and finally acting skills.  These are characteristics I feel add up to create a good film. Because it is the sixth movie in this series, I felt it's connection to the previous story was essential and was a well executed conclusion. The story lines were complex, but simple enough for anyone to follow. True fans will pick up on more complex stories such of that of "The Chosen One." The prophecy was not necessary to know to enjoy this film, but adds to connections of characters throughout the series. It's well-told plot also includes a "what if" factor leaving different aspects open to debate: such as "what if Leia were to become a Jedi?" This final movie also has a sort of symmetry in Luke and Vadar's life. These details help create great complexity that was very well thought out by the producers. Characters in this movie had a great sense of variety and personalities. I feel most of the character development is in Luke because we see his conflict with becoming a Jedi, his acquired knowledge of his family, as well as his struggle with the dark side of the force. Special effects were good, not top notch, but good. I understand that this film was created in 1983, but there are certain scenes where characters look ridiculous and others that look amazing. I enjoy the special effects and only carry a few complaints such as Han Solo being released from Carbonate. His skin and the red glow didn't line up and it didn't even look remotely real. Overall, I liked the special affects. Gun shots were great, space ships looked amazing, and special effect makeups looked flawless as well as fantastic costume designs (including Leia's slave girl costume for all my male viewers). The battle scenes were amazing. Throughout the movie there were a variety of battles including light saber, battle ship, beast fights,  primitive warfare (extremely effective on Endor), stealth, and speeder battles. Then with overlapping battles, a sense of suspense is created and by then, adrenaline is running through your body! Acting only had a few flaws but was very believable. The sense of emotional connection was great too. We liked seeing Han and Leia together. The overall relationships and bonds that formed really made me have emotional responses to the movie.

Complexity of Story:              10

Character development:         9 

Special effects:                       8.5

Battle Scenes:                         10

Emotional Appeal:                  9

Acting:                                     9

Total :                             55.5/ 60


On The Awesomeness Meter: Yoda Status!!! (This means the movie is extremely awesome and needs to be viewed immediately and I recommend it for all viewers).   

Sci-Fi Debate!!!!!(2/16/12)

My argument: It's MURDER!!!!! Since when is "retiring" a life form ok? It's never fucking ok to kill Replicants! Maybe the phrase "They're only human" doesn't apply to this situation, but that does not give the people of 2019 the right to kill these new types of beings... EVER! People need to take a good look at their own creations and know when their just turning off a machine or unjustifiably killing a being.

Now for all those who of you who've never seen Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner," or just need a brush up on what's happened, I suggest that you take a look at the link posted. The movie trailer only takes a few minutes, so don't be a lazy ass and just take a look at it. Keep in mind that there are also some events that will be discussed that have a crucial role in my post, so SPOILER ALERT!!! Don't read ahead if you don't want to know about some of the events that unfold.

In this world, it is noted that Replicants were created to be just like humans. Yes, a bit stronger, faster, but ultimately organic, no machinery is used inside of them. They are not cyborgs but nor are they human. I don't know what the fuck you'd call them, I guess "Replicant" is their own breed. Anyways, people of 2019 feel it's perfect dandy to go shooting Replicants and they don't even have the balls to call it murder; they call it "retiring." It's the biggest load of crap I've heard. I know they aren't born like humans are, BUT THEY ARE NOT HUMANS!!! You do not need to be human to sustain life and a soul! We don't go around shooting our neighbor's cat (regardless of how annoying it is) because it's unjustified. Who gave anyone the right to end another being? A way to compare the Replicants existence would be to look at the life of Frankenstein. He's a freak of nature, built from the dead parts of humans and machinery, but he still contains a soul and entity of life. The people fear their own creations, and they feel that fear gives them justification to kill, yes I said "KILL" not "RETIRE." If Frankenstein were standing in front of me right now, I'd be cowering in fear like a nomophobic* would be if their cell phone battery died. But I'm not going to go ahead and kill him for being too damn scary, that just be wrong and stupid. Who knows, Frank could be a really chill dude. 

 My point is, don't go around killing the things you've created. One day people will create a life form similar to those of Replicants, and it needs to be considered a possibility that they contain a soul. If this is ever the case, just know that ending their being is NOT retiring, but murder.

*Nomophobia according to urbandictionary.com means: an exaggerated, inexplicable, and illogical fear being without a mobile device, power source, or service area.

Blade Runner Original Trailer