The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

I recently saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with my parents and it was quite incredible. I will say, from the perspective of myself, that it was one of the most incredible movies I have ever seen. I was on the verge of tears the entire move and cried myself to sleep that night in awe. People on the internet say that the characters lack development and the story is missing the meat but I disagree extremely strongly.

Maybe that is because I am easily inspired and easily impressed by things like this. The softer focus made it appear dream like and I felt like I didn't want to wake up. It also inspires me because I know I am blossoming into the person I want to be, just like Walter did. I am going out and hiking throughout Washington and have a trip to Alaska planned. I cannot wait to see these beautiful places and go these places with beautiful people. And a new goal of mine, backpacking in Iceland. I could go on about this movie for a really long time, but truth is I really don't even know how to word my feelings about it. It was adorable, inspiring, courageous, beautiful, and so many more things.

I would highly highly recommend this movie to everyone, I plan on seeing it again very soon, I do wish it was showing in IMAX though, my one complaint. Ever since the trailer came out I have been waiting to see this and it did not disappoint my expectations in any way. I know this won't be the best movie to everyone, but it is to me. Also, its surprisingly hilarious and I have never laughed that loud at a movie, just saying. Below is Dirty Paws by Of Monsters and Men, featured in the trailer and movie. Just another thing that inspires me.

~~~

"To see the world, 

things dangerous to come to, 

to see behind walls, 

draw closer,

 to find each other and to feel. 

That is the purpose of life."

--The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Life Magazine)

Review: The Hobbit

Since I have been on so many planes this summer, I have managed to finish the book! This will prove to be a thoroughly nerdy post. Please prepare accordingly.

As a huge fan of the movie trilogy directed by Mr. Peter Jackson, I was psyched to here he was creating a film out of The Hobbit. Now many people believe that you should try and read books previous to seeing the movies, yet mi amigo pointed out something that made much more sense. People who read books before watching the movies tend to be disappointed at the short-comings of detail (which occurs naturally due to the difference in possible lengths for each) BUT if you see the movie first you will be impressed with the movie, THEN you read the book and you are even more impressed with the new knowledge of all the extra details (given that both are well made in the case of The Hobbit, yes, opinion, I know). 

I thought the movie was incredible. I heard complaints about the frames/second (I have little to no knowledge of what that entails) but I thought the picture looked solid. Also I heard complaints about the amount of singing in the movie. At first I enjoyed the singing a lot, then I read the book and saw that they are singing constantly in it and people were being ridiculous and just need to enjoy it (music will be posted below). 

This post is mainly to discuss the book though. I thought they did a wonderful job creating a film corresponding to the first third of the book. They did change quite a bit regarding major plot points. (This next section constitutes as spoilers, be warned). First of all, there is no such thing as the white orc in the book. Thorin's father and grandfather were not killed by this white orc, his father is actually imprisoned by the Necromancer. But I assume that this plot point in the movie will be used to create an epic and dramatic scene during the battle (which will probably be the entire last movie) between Thorin son of Thrain and Azog the white orc. Also Thorin is not nearly as broody in the books, he is much more light hearted and dwarvish than portrayed in the movies. I think this was smart direction to go in for the film because of the added plot points that give reason for Thorin to be so angsty. A second one being the rift between the wood elves and the dwarves of The Lonely Mountain. Apparently they created this idea from vague notes made in the encyclopedias. But there is no mention of any bad feels between Thorin and the wood elves (until mid book when they hold them prisoners for hanging out in Mirkwood). One more difference that I want to point out is the minutivity (made that one up..) of the Necromancer story line. As the beginnings of it appear in the first movie, it seems to hold a lot of weight in the plot. In the book, Gandalf merely mentions that he had a counsel with the White Wizards in the south and drove him more east so evils in the forest should subside. In the film, it is obvious that it will take up quite a few scenes and I predict that there will be quite the battle between Radagast and the Necromancer but we shall see.

The book was one of my favorite reads in a long time and my embarrassing emotional attachment to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy just made it all the more beautiful. I could go on and on but instead I will post a few videos that portray what I believe to be, the heart of the movie.

"The Pity of Bilbo"

dar8tb comments, "same music plays in LOTR when Frodo voices his regrets and gandalf says "so do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." Its a quote about conquering evil with one simple act of courage. Here, it not only carries on that idea to the movie, but also that by sparing gollum, one act of courage, Bilbo saves Middle Earth by letting Gollum live, who stops Frodo from screwing up the mission on Mount Doom."

I am definitely going to be checking that out the next time I revisit the series. I also love the music that plays over because it reminds me of who Bilbo used to be, a comfortable hobbit that lives quietly in his hole. And it also reminds the audience that he isn't a cold killer, he is just a mere hobbit on a wild journey.

"Misty Mountains Orchestral Cover"

"Misty Mountains Cold" (original)

Just a brief note, the way they sang with the hint of the dwarvish accents was perfect. And I am pretty sure I teared up a little bit too much during this part of the movie. *sigh*

I could go on, but I shall stop now, expect reviews of the next movies and expect them to be quite lengthy, for this journey has just begun my friends.

~~~

"There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after." -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Review: Indie Game

I just watched this movie about an hour ago and feel the need already to write a review. This movie (documentary) was fascinating to me especially because both of my brothers and a few friends of theirs are programming a game together. The reason I loved this movie so much, is it shows that a very technical thing (programming) is a form of art and expression. Yes there is art in the game, but when combined with the story line and programming, is a masterpiece. 

The trailer:

Now this movie was created a few years back and now all of the games that were shown in the film all became very successful. The question I have, is it worth it? They say that creating games is their passion, yet it seems so stress filled and seems to slowly drive them mad. I can only assume that since I am no artist by my own standards, I don't really know what it is like to obsess over my work so perfectionally minded (yes that is a made up word but you get my point).

Also, it is amazing to me that these huge games are created by only a few people. Something so huge is created by two or three people working their tails off and going mad and in the end something really cool is created. I admire their hard work.

Nothing much else too say, just that I strongly recommend this movie and I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

~~~

Also I had In-N-Out today, I MISSED YOU SO MUCH CALIFORNIA.

Bachelorette and SPRING QUARTER (and spring break)

WHOOP!

Ok so I have literally started writing several posts and then just stopped and honestly it is because I ave much more of a real life now then I did a few weeks ago. Over spring break I had plenty of time to but instead I just hung out with old friends (something I thought I would never do seeing as I pretty much became almost exclusively reclusive my senior year before I left) and I hung out with my mom, a lot. WHICH WAS THE BEST. 

Unfortunately I didn't get to see all of my friends and when I did it was just for a few hours to catch up and share college anecdotes (which left us all laughing on the ground because funny things happen in college). So thats pretty much all I did and I am really happy that I ended up going home (I was originally planning on staying in SeaTown but bought tickets last minute) and I am now ecstatic for summer.

NEXT, I shall talk about the movie Bachelorette which is my new favorite feel-good comedy (it replaced She's all That which is a huge thing for me but they might be tied I don't know yet). 

Its a picaresque film about three bridesmaids who rip the dress the night before and have to find a way to fix it before the wedding the next day. Isla Fisher is by far my favorite actress in this, she plays a dumb, retail-forever woman who is just hilarious throughout the whole film. That is really all I had to say.... I just really like Isla Fisher in this movie and I think she is just great and the reason everyone should see this film. It isn't a film of sustenance at all, like I said earlier it is just a feel-good for when you have nothing to do (NETFLIX movie if ya know what I mean).

Just yes.

Also I have just started a job as well as my last quarter of freshman year. The job is just a sandwich making deal and super simple which is nice. The only downfall is that it is a 5-10am shift, which I will get used to I just need to make sure I take care of bed time and such but a further review of that later once I have some more time there.

And finally, I am so excited to be done with this school year. It isn't that I haven't enjoyed it (I love college a lot) it is just that once spring break happens all I can think of is summer... I am so excited for the beach and the sun and all that jazz. My mom bought me surf lessons for my birthday and I am super excited for that too. I just have a lot to look for in the coming summer, thats all I am saying.

~~~

Ikiru (To Live)

So I am currently working on my final paper in which we have to reference the Japanese film Ikiru and this movie is so incredible. I can honestly say that it is one of the greatest films I have ever witnessed. With a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, its pretty obvious I am not alone on this one. 

It is about a boring bureaucrat, Kanji Watanabe, who discovers he has less than a year to live, he realizes that he has done nothing with his life and hasn't been living at all in fact. In a panic he seeks life through other people, first an author who he goes out drinking and dancing with, the night ends up with him throwing up blood in the street. Next he seeks out a young woman who used to work for him until she quit to go work for a toy shop. She is very joyful and lively and Kanji finds himself enjoying himself for once. She gets creeped out and he tells her about his inevitable death to explain why he has been acting like he has, he asks how she is so joyful all the time when all she does is labor and eat. She tells him that when she is making the small bunny toys, she feels like she is playing with every child in Japan. This inspires him to go and create a park out of a swampy area. He seeks to do something meaningful with himself before he dies. 

Here is the trailer:

"I have less than a year to live. When I found that out... somehow I was drawn to you. Once when I was a child, I almost drowned. It's just like that feeling. Darkness everywhere, and nothing for me to hold onto, no matter how hard I try. There's just you." -Kanji

(Kanji with the young woman, Toyo)

"All she can convey to him is her simple-minded pleasure in manufacturing cheap little toys that will bring pleasure to someone," -William Bernhardt

He succeeds in making the park, he does it with fervor and passion and truly enjoys his endeavor. I could go on and on about what happens and how it is such a great film, but you should really watch it yourself. It is truly one of the most moving films I have ever seen. I literally want to cry while I'm writing this. I don't think there is any amount of praise I can give to express how I truly feel in my heart about this film.

The last scene is him swinging in the park he helped come about singing a lullaby called, "Life is Brief"

life is brief
fall in love, maidens
before the crimson bloom
fades from your lips
before the tides of passion
cool within you,
for those of you
who know no tomorrow
life is brief

"Wantanabe's triumph is not overcoming meaningless, but in seeing it clearly and resolving to live in its void." -Jeffrey Gordon

I should be writing my paper on this right now but I just needed to rant about how much this film moved me, which I can't really do in the paper, but I will try and convey as much of that as I can in it.

Please watch this, it has helped me rethink the way I live my life for the better, and it is truly a masterpiece.

~~~

"I can't afford to hate people. I haven't got that kind of time." -Kanji

BUTTER

I just finished watching the movie Butter and even though it wasn't the best movie, I just loved it. Starring Jennifer Garner, Yara Shahidi, and Olivia Wilde (who plays the best badass stripper I have ever witnessed in any film). It was lighthearted but also serious and the acting wasn't the best but you can definitely tell that the actors and actresses had a good time making the film. Also, blast from the past, Alicia Silverstone from clueless played the mom and she is still the best as ever. 

I don't really have much more to say, it was just a hilarious, light hearted film with a ton of familiar faces in it. I definitely recommend this film if you're feeling like you want a few laughs.

The trailer:

Also, random, but here are a few songs that I have been obsessed with lately:

Ke$ha- Die Young(Deconstructed)

Imagine Dragons- Radioactive (I want to dance so hard to this song you don't even know)

"Really? The butter police? Wow.."

~~~