Game of Thrones will be entering its latest season with fans holding their breath about the fate of Jon Snow and others, and rumors has already begun to swirl about if next season will be the one in which HBO and George R.R. Martin finally decide to put a wrap on the conflicts within Westeros. While […]
via Ten really bad sci-fi/fantasy finales for Game of Thrones to avoid imitating — John’s Head
This past weekend my husband and I took in our first big “summer blockbuster” of the year, Kong: Skull Island. I hadn’t read any reviews of the movie prior to the show, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was not merely a sequel or remake of Peter Jackson’s 2005 epic. Instead, Kong featured an original story that offered plenty of action coupled with a well-developed plot (though the latter was somewhat obscured by the overwhelming special effects).
Set roughly forty years later than the last cinematic delivery of the giant ape, Kong touches on the 1970s world of chaos embodying war protesters and political upheaval, scientific leaps and social change. In this environment, a group of researchers pitch the need to uncover the secrets of a lost island “before the Russians do.”
Brie Larson as Mason Weaver, firing a flare gun. Photo courtesy of rottentomatoes.com
I was gratified that the female cast was not relegated to the role of damsels in distress, as in the classic versions of the giant monster genre. Leading actress Brie Larson, who, at first glance appears to fit the stereotype of the beautiful blonde traditionally captured by the giant ape; ably held her own with the boys in pitched fights against the monster baddies. Actually it was her character, Mason Weaver, a war photographer, who finished off the first of the creepy, two legged giant skull crawlers the group of scientists and soldiers encountered, with plenty of help from James Conrad, played by costar Tom Hiddleston.
Though female leads in action films have become somewhat more common in the last decade, thanks to series such as Resident Evil and Underworld, they are still not the norm whenever mammoth monsters take center stage. It is indeed refreshing to see a female character that is portrayed as competent, resourceful, and just as brave as her male companions.
Larson’s character did later get up close and personal with the big guy, an encounter which showed that Kong truly was not the antagonist, but rather a tragic hero in his own right. It was her empathy and insight, coupled with the intuition and heroism of Hiddleston’s character, which led to the confrontation with Col. Packard, played by Samuel L. Jackson. Prejudiced due to his experience in the Vietnam War and the opening encounter with the giant ape, the Colonel had failed to understand that Kong was not the enemy, and almost caused a disaster as he tried to destroy their would-be protector. Larson struck a decisive blow in the penultimate battle that saw the remaining humans ally with Kong against the granddaddy of the skull crawlers for ultimate survival.
Overall, Kong was a rare movie worth the outrageous price of the 3D ticket. I would recommend it to any fans of monster movie or action genres.
Happy viewing,
Amy
Not every heroine wears a cape or tights. Not every woman who deserves our respect or our accolades dresses in a colorful costume. The women in our every day, real lives have more of an impact on our world than any who has ever graced the screen or decorated a book cover. In honor of International Women’s Day, which is Wednesday, March 8th, I wanted to point out some of the attributes of these ordinary female heroes.
Photo credit: Sarah Ross photography via Foter.com / CC BY-NC
You probably know at least one of these superstars. You may have one in your own home, or school, or workplace. You most certainly see them at the grocery store, in the carpool lane, or at your favorite restaurant. These women may not stand out as the heroines they are. They may be hiding behind a façade as impervious as a secret identity, unlikely to be detected except by the few who truly understand and acknowledge their value.
A woman that gives her all for the betterment of others is a hero to those who depend on her. Whatever her title or position, it is in her nature to help, to nurture, to guide those in her care to the best of her ability. She is all the more remarkable for the fact that she may be unappreciated, taken for granted, or underestimated for exactly how much she accomplishes on a daily basis.
In a society that places unrealistic expectations on what a young girl should look like, dress like, and achieve, it’s more important than ever that we teach our future superheroines to be strong, to be competent, and to be compassionate. Media images and bias make it difficult for these future leaders to develop healthy self-esteem and self-confidence, so crucial to them taking their place in the world.
So take a moment tomorrow and check out the women standing in line around you, sitting at the next desk, or waiting at the pump. She may be cooking your breakfast, or prepping your flu shot. She may have information you need, or questions to ask. She may be a superheroine in disguise. Whoever she is, take time to smile, and acknowledge her importance to your world today.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Amy
The focus on male writers in the science fiction genre has been going on far too long. Find out challenges and successes for female sci-fi authors.
via Science Fiction Writing: It’s Not Just a Man’s World — When Women Inspire
Some of you will remember my last post was on the importance of expressing your feelings for those who give meaning to our lives. Today, I decided to write about the other side of the coin-those relationships that do not work out the way we hope. Most of us are not lucky enough to find “the one” on the first try, or have lived happily ever after without effort on our parts.
For every great successful love story, there is “the one that got away” or the “star-crossed lovers” that we all hope to avoid in our own lives, but are more than ready to cry over when it happens to our favorite fictional characters.
Photo credit: Free Grunge Textures – www.freestock.ca via Foter.com / CC BY
The concept of the “star-crossed” lovers is hardly a new notion. Early myths detail stories of relationships that never had a chance thanks to outside forces like jealous gods (such as the Greek story of Artemis and Orion) or terrible monsters (the Norse Beowulf). Classic literature details heroes and heroines who could not make love last (think Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and their feuding families; or Hamlet and Ophelia, separated by revenge and madness).
Photo credit: Vancouver Island University via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Our ancestors hardly have a monopoly on stories where the hero did not get the girl, either. Modern media portrays a constant stream of relationships that face impossible odds of success. From the agonizing love triangle of Casablanca, to Jack and Rose whose relationship failed thanks to the Titanic colliding with an iceberg, to Buffy and Angel who could not be together because Angel would lose his soul, to Thor who was separated from Jane by his godhood and a broken trans-world portal.
Photo credit: NMCIL via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA
So why are we attracted to tragedy? All of these characters have qualities we hope to see in ourselves. We share in their optimism, their passion, and their aspirations. They seemingly have a chance at love, but face insurmountable obstacles that ultimately result in tragedy. We root for them when they are happy, we cry with them when they are sad, and feel their losses when they are torn apart. We feel a connection to them in a way we could not if they did not experience grief and strife, because that is what makes them more human.
It is these very human qualities that we can identify with; because the characters of a tragedy do not end with happily ever after, they are all the more realistic and important to us.
So pull out a box of tissues and watch your favorite sob story. Reminisce with someone about the hardships you’ve faced in your own life, which hopefully have made you stronger and better prepared for the next challenge. Take heart in the impossible odds others have faced, and know you are not alone.
Until next time,
Amy
I sat down to write a post about the most obvious topic of all for today-love. That is something we all consider on Valentine’s Day, whether we choose to acknowledge it as a legitimate holiday or not. It’s all too easy to take a cynical approach and call it a “holiday made up by the greeting card companies” because of its hype based around heart-shaped and chocolate wares, but the holiday has been around far longer the commercialism of the twentieth century.
Photo credit: maf04 via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
In the past what we now call Valentine’s Day held other meanings, from pagan beginnings that involved blood sacrifices and fertility rituals, to martyred saints. Interestingly paper cards to celebrate the day have actually been around since the Middle Ages.[i]
The main purpose of the holiday as we know it, however, is love; to be celebrated, contemplated, longed for. It is a day to cherish those who share our lives, whether they are spouses, lovers, family, or friends. How exactly we choose to express our feelings about them holds as many options as there are relations out there.
Photo credit: micadew via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
So how do you pick from the multitude of merchandise, from the plethora of songs, from the abundance of flowers, to the profusion of restaurants offering packages just for this one day? How do you choose to show the one(s) you care about the most how you feel? Do you even need to spend money to convey your feelings, or can you find a better way to express your love?
The most important thing to consider is the object of your affections. What will they appreciate the most? Are they certified chocoholics, or have some other weakness you can use to your advantage? Do they prefer to go out, or spend a quiet evening at home? The best gift is one tailored especially to your love, whatever that may be.
And while you are choosing something special your valentine will appreciate, don’t forget to insert a little of your own unique personality as well. Those who return our affections will be most impressed with a gift that celebrates what the two of you have in common, or that that show an investment of thought and time from the giver.
Don’t despair if you’ve put off marking this day to the very last minute-there’s still time to text or to go old school and make a handwritten card with a special message, or plan a special meal, even if that is just a heart-shaped pizza and a favorite dessert. Put on the radio, light some candles, and dance with your special people. Face time if you can’t be together. Watch a movie you love. Above all, put into words just exactly what these individuals mean to you, how much you appreciate them today, and always.
However you choose to celebrate it, Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.
Amy
[i] For more information on the history of Valentine’s Day see this link: http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day
Adrian Daub’s fascinating essay in the LA Review of Books on the Stephen King classic IT — now 30 years old — reveals that the real horror of IT wasn’t Pennywise the supernatural clown, but our own, entirely human ability to forget the horrors of the past.
via But What’s IT All About?: How We Forgot the Murderous Clown — Longreads
Okay, I admit it, I never actually read the book myself. I did however, watch the miniseries made about it, and had nightmares for months after. Who would imagine that a clown, the very image of childhood innocence and fun, could be so terrifying? Perhaps that was Stephen King’s intent. Who would expect the icon of circuses and birthday parties could embody evil?
What monsters of books or screen terrify you the most? I’d love to hear from you.
Amy
There’s no question we live in an amazing time. Technology is exploding around us; we have experiences and opportunities that our ancestors cannot begin to imagine. As we enter a new year we can witness the birth of Virtual Reality and expect a manned mission to Mars in our lifetimes, but we should realize that none of these things came out of thin air. The amazing accomplishments we benefit from today were built on a foundation of successes in the past, things that in their own time were just as amazing.
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/i/isaac_newton.html
It would be too easy to assume in our pride and arrogance that we are better, smarter, than those who came before us, but what we have to remember is that our successes would not be possible without those which came before us. Each generation makes their own advances, successes and failures; and history has proven that no step forward is gained without a price.
I remember walking with my father and listening as he told amazing tales of his past. Oh, there were no computers or any other technical advancement in his tales, but that did not make them any less remarkable. He lived in a time where such things either did not exist or were far simpler, but he had incredible experiences without the burden of such hardware.
My father travelled from Tennessee to Washington D.C. to work on the construction of the Watergate Apartment complex. He raised free-range turkeys on a plot of land that had been in the family for generations. He sold his farm to move to the city so he could make a better living to support his family.
I cannot totally comprehend the times he lived in; just as I am sure he probably wouldn’t understand many aspects of the life I live now. That does not mean we could not appreciate each other, or that we had nothing in common. We could relate to each other on the most basic human levels, and those have never changed.
While times and technology may change, people remain the same. They live, they love, and they face challenges and solve problems. People continue to be human, no matter how advanced they become, and what the future holds. And while we can be proud of what we’ve accomplished in the here and now, there will always be a successive generation to think we are old-fashioned, boring, and out of touch.
Be kind to your elders, and your kids. You have been and one day will be walking in their shoes.
Amy
There’s nothing like the anticipation of a good action film to lift spirits when the bleak wet and cold of January keeps us indoors. This year’s crop of new movies and sequels certainly looks promising!
By looking at the 2017 films coming out, it’s clear that we fans are in a golden age of genre films. There are many sci-fi, superhero, fantasy, animated and horror films coming out this year that are quite tantalizing. These are the most promising looking of the bunch. However, it’s a guarantee that some of the films on this list will be colossal disappointments while there will be films that weren’t even mentioned that will defy low expectations. With that said, let’s look at the coming 2017 films; remember the release dates are still subject to change.
10. Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7): Marvel Comics’ flagship superhero has his first solo film in the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Fingers crossed that this Spider-Man reboot will resonate.
9. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets(July 21): Director Luc Besson’s adaptation of the French space opera comic book looks…
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