Vorahk1Panrahk2

I neither like nor dislike Gladiator, but there a handful of Best Picture winners since 2000 that are easily worse than it. "Worst since Gladiator" is just a bizarre statement to me. But, hey, opinions. Also, maybe I'm just not internet savvy, or just completely forgot everything about Rises since my one viewing, but I can't think of any memes that movie inspired. At least compared to Dark Knight which spawned several obvious ones.

It's the lowest grossing of the franchise so far in both domestic and international box office. I think Bay's admitted disinterest in directing any more (low returns from Last Knight don't help) is a more important factor here than Bumblebee's unimpressive box office numbers. It didn't bomb, but "golden goose" might be a bit of a strong term here. (Also he is producer so he's still very much touching the brand.) It was better than the first three films, I'll give you that. Probably better than the last two but I never bothered seeing them and can't compare.

Well, when I went to Goodwill for ties a few weeks ago I didn't find those either. I hope that hunt went equally well for you.

Oh I know you wouldn't have, sorry if my post came off a bit aggressive (I realize rereading it that it is a bit). But there definitely are members of the industry who would have sadly enough (there was one quote that said Oscar night was a "bullet dodged" or something to that effect), and regardless of where you stand I think complaining about a Netflix Oscar is completely missing the spirit of the award. ​I completely get this, but man, I dunno. Back in the day the division was so much more obvious than it is now. TV movies are TV movies, and some streaming movies are definitely meant for streaming (Bandersnatch, everything Disney has planned, probably), but then there's those movies that were meant for the theater and then got picked up by a streaming service (Roma, Wolfwalkers) I just think it'd set an unfortunate precedent if a movie wasn't allowed to be recognized because it ended up on a streaming service, and for me that's where the rub lies. Your points are fare, and I think I can be open to the idea of recognizing streaming separately as long as there's a solid distinction between the Romas and the Bandersnatches (which I keep using as an example because as rare as that type of movie is, its a really easy example). Although how to make such a distinction.... I don't know, Kraagh. I just don't know. I think the academy will be taking a hard look at their eligibility rules this year and I just hope that industry pettiness is kept in check. And that Netflix caves in and starts allowing their films a decent theatrical release, which would really end the whole issue, wouldn't it? Maybe everyone just needs to meet half way. Film is a wonderful medium however its watched and the squabbling over what is what gets depressing. (I don't think Spielberg has made any official comments on the matter, right? I've just heard second hand reports. I'd be interested to hear his actual words.)

Its an interesting line to be sure. The thing about Roma is that its not a made for TV movie. It's not even a made for streaming movie. It was intended for the big screen but only Netflix was willing to distribute it. So here's a movie that was intended to be seen on the big screen, limited to the small screen because that's the only way the artists could share their work. And let's be honest here: academy members watch many of the films through DVD screeners, not in the theater. So, to be blunt, who cares if something has a theatrical release if the thing isn't even going to be watched that way? I have no evidence of any industry people against streaming films at the Oscars who also watch nominated movies via screeners, but it wouldn't surprise me at all. I certainly don't see Spielberg advocating that academy members must see movies in theaters (a sentiment which I would get behind, to be honest). At the end of the day, a film is a film, and the line between 'TV' (and 'streaming') and 'Cinema' is getting more blurry every day. I don't buy that streaming is its own unique medium. Something like Bandersnatch is, but a movie like that is so rare it shouldn't even factor into the equation. Just look at Roma. Which is it? TV movie or movie movie? Why should where it gets watched make a difference? So maybe its time the academy change their eligibility rules. The best movie is the best movie regardless of where it comes from. I don't agree with Spielberg's vehemence here, but I know where he's coming from. He's worried about losing the theatrical experience and wants to preserve that. That's admirable, and from that perspective I'm absolutely on his side. But I think he's going after the wrong thing here. Rather than attack streaming he should be encouraging streaming services to give their movies theatrical releases. Amazon does this, and no one complained when Manchester by the Sea won Oscars two years ago. I would have loved to have watched Roma and Ballad of Buster Scruggs in the theater. EDIT: And yes, I am aware that Roma and Ballad both received a theatrical release in order to qualify them for the Oscars, but a bare, pathetic, minimal release just for awards qualifying is not the same as giving a movie a real run in the theater.

Man what a good find. I occasionally look around the look Goodwill for older LEGO but never have any luck.

Ah, welding. One of those things I wish I were better at. Good luck!

I could have sworn I read in the older (2000s until about 20015, maybe) academy rules that musicals weren't eligible due to the heavy use of lyrical music*. Essentially, the academy couldn't be sure about whether members were voting for the movie's score or its songs. Before La La Land the last nomination for a musical was Prince of Egypt despite there being at least a few acclaimed original musicals to come out in that time. And, actually, musicals nominated and winning the category isn't unusual in the awards history. Disney movies, for example, won the award five times and that was just in the late 80s/90s, John Williams' first Oscar was for Fiddler on the Roof, etc. But I'm finding this memory difficult to corroborate as I can't find older rules. (I do know that Tangled was ineligible and I can't imagine any other reason why that would be.) It could also just be that since musicals tend to be adapted from stage plays the scores aren't truly original, and obviously ineligible. I have no real opinion on Black Panther's victory in this category. * I could be confusing this with the existing rule that films with a heavy presence of unoriginal lyrical music are ineligible for the original score category.

Haven't seen Bohemian Rhapsody, but I'm rooting for Roma to take the sound mixing category. The mix made the city scenes feel so vibrant. That, Yalitza Aparicio for actress, and "Leave No Trace got snubbed" are my only strong opinions this year. But I guess if Leave No Trace can't take the top award, Roma is a good second.

(I will spoiler tag this since its a response to what you spoiler tagged, but someone else can judge if it needs them.) ...And then there's Indiana Jones, who when he finds his "damsel" in distress leaves her there to go pursue riches! Always found that a rather amusing subversion of the trope.

I can get into a cheeky LEGO Jurassic World TV show. I like the Baryonyx set. Price is a bit steep but looks like there's enough good stuff in the set to justify it. LOVE the Dino-mouth merchandise stand. Love it.

Dig the theme even without the AR application. Hopefully those into AR play get some enjoyment out of this.

Wait, is this a playable version of the cancelled 2001 game?

Would love to get the Clone Walker and Podracer. They look like the best iterations of those vehicles so far, even if the walker is completely out of scale.

You don't even have to pay me to get me to change my boring last name. Will happily change to Skywalker. Or Dangerkill. Or anything else. But I am already an American citizen so I guess the point is moot.

​Yeah but Kraagh that doesn't grab clicks like "XXXXX Debunked" does. KRAAGH'S THEORY DEBUNKED (*Definitive!*)

It's been a truly wonderful and blessed experience to live in a country that's not my own. But while it was an adventure, all adventures have to end, and I have officially hopped back across the equator (into winter, glorious winter) to continue my life. Now time do all those fun things like... finishing school and finding a new job.

I admit with embarrassment that I have not seen a Jackie Chan film aside from Shanghai Noon. Maybe its time I do something about that.

Good write up. I wonder how much of this would change if someone other than Gosling was cast? I haven't seen First Man, and I don't know what Armstrong was like as a person, but given the movies with him I've seen pretty much describes his entire gimmick. Not that I've seen all of his movies, but if he's done any other type of acting I havn't seen it.

Not denying that the distinction between art and Art, as you say, doesn't exist with the academy (because it totally does [my ire is with their lack of reception toward animated films]), but its not like the Academy doesn't have a history of nominating popular genre films for the non technical awards. Logan was nominated for its screenplay. Best picture nominees include genre films like: The Exorcist Jaws Mad Max: Fury Road Star Wars Raiders of the Lost Ark Beauty and the Beast District 9 Avatar Lord of the Rings (x3) I guess my point is is that I'm not sure why the academy insists on creating this category when its already not that uncommon for them to bestow awards upon films that are 'popular,' and its really, really meaningful when that happens. How many of those films wouldn't have gotten Best Picture nominations of the Academy decided to lump them into 'Best Achievement in Popular Film' instead? I think there's a bigger issue that the academy doesn't realize: The academy members themselves don't care about their own award. You should see the yearly published 'Brutally Honest Oscar Ballots' article published by a website who's name I can't remember (Moviefone?) If these ballots are any indications, academy members don't always vote by what they think is best, but by the movies they've heard of, what they're colleagues voted for, because those colleagues are in those movies. There's no rhyme or reason. I agree with you that there should be no distinction between different of types of films when bestowing honors of quality. I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film is it. BUT Maybe 'Outstanding Achievement in Stunt Work' could be part of it. Seriously, academy. You could have added a category you legitimately need that would have consisted of several of those films deemed 'popular.' ... And I still wanna know how 'popular' will be defined.

After several months of encouraging teaching moments, discouraging teaching moments, flu, dengue fever, various colds, loud music, bad food (my fault), and (failed?) weight loss endeavors, I finally got a much needed vacation to see my family and girlfriend. Parts of it were great. The weather was (generally) cool for a California summer. Of course the day I had to go to an outdoor wedding ended up in the high 90s, but the rest of it was pretty okay. Fourth of July evening was actually pretty cold, and I have to say it was the coolest fireworks show I've seen yet. Not that there was anything super special about it except that I'm not used to fireworks being exploded literally above my head. Off in the distance? Sure. Close distance? Sure. But these were over my head. I have to say I was legitimately scared at first because.... there are fireworks exploding above my head and burning hot things are falling down. But I was not hurt. No one was hurt as far as I was aware and safe or not, it was pretty cool! But not everything was an up. I knew from a while ago that my grandmother was showing signs of early Alzheimer's, but during this vacation was the firs time I've heard my mom talk to her on the phone since then and it was really disheartening. My mom and grandma talk frequently, and never once have I ever heard my mom need to explain who she was on the phone. The way she was talking its like my grandma had little idea who she was talking to. It was a moment that didn't last very long, but I was really shocked and disheartened and sad. It's not something I have talked to my mom about, at all, but I have to wonder how she's handling it. I wouldn't even know how to handle having to explain to my mom who she's talking to. My dad also got sick while I was home, probably some sort of food poisoning. Whatever it was it unfortunately ruined all of his plans which included attending a party with Chris Pratt. No that's not a joke. He was in town and my dad was invited to the party. I, for one, am just glad that what he got was not contagious because I have had more than my fair share of illnesses this year. All you all reading this, do yourselves a favor and don't get dengue. Just don't. Use your bug spray. Also California is on fire again and people I know came way too close to losing their house. Aside from those things.... pretty relaxing vacation which is exactly what I wanted. Watched Incredibles 2. Was alright. First was better. Was introduced to Carcassonne (the game) which is my new obsession. Got the app. Got some expansions. Can't stop playing those online games. And that's it. I have four and a half months left in this job, then its back to the states. No idea where I'll be (figuratively) when that comes around, but hopefully its in a good place. Without dengue. (P.S. For those who play a certain mobile game: 9084 8282 0567) (P.P.S. And hey if you play Carcassonne too.... open to playing that online [though I might not play fast.])

I can understand waiting to implement trading, to make sure that everything is balanced such that a Pokemon black market isn't created, as that always seems to be the number one fear for any games that have a trading feature. I don't know how it worked in the older games, but with Pokemon Go having regional exclusives and hard to get legendaries, the potential for abuse was high. The folks who make Runescape have been fighting that from the beginning. But two years? At least they finally delivered on what the trailer promised! (You may or may not be getting a request from someone who's name is Konepu. Just sayiiiing...)

This blog entry reminds me that I need to see "Red Cliff." Also never heard of this series but I like history and real time strategy games and am intrigued.

I may be in the strong minority here but I kind of hope that Spielberg moves away from using Kaminski, or at least tells him to tone down on the blown out backlighting. I guess its all just personal preference, but its become distracting and a bit ugly. Nothing in this film was as painful as the scene from Bridge of Spies where Donovan was appealing to the Supreme Court, but all the same, I wouldn't mind seeing this style go away.

This is the first point of discussion I had with my girlfriend as we got out. Do we think Rey is going to follow Luke's desires and not restart the Jedi order? Will she bring it back in some alternate form? Personally I'm hoping for the second one. Not only because I think Jedi are cool and Star Wars is boring without them, but also because it would be an important step for this universe to introduce a new order of Jedi without all the arrogance and dogmatic beliefs of the previous iteration. Also because otherwise you'll have a lot of force sensitive people out there who won't really know what to do with the power given to them. It just makes sense to try and provide some guidance. Loved the final scene in the movie and the final shot especially. Loved it. I'm fully expecting some force sensitive kids in the next movie, with Rey as their trainer. Not a huge Star Wars fan in general but I thought this was a great movie. For the first time since walking out of Attack of the Clones, I'm excited to see what comes next in this saga. ...Or at least would be if Abrams wasn't in charge again.