Thoughts On: Best Random Screen Moments 2014, Part 2

          As this year draws to a close, a look back at more great moments...

Mcconaughey was not first choice...

The Star Wars 7 Teaser:
Remember when we all saw that teaser 50 times? Some of us are still watching it...and some of us decided to make, Lego, GTA 5, George Lucas, and cardboard versions of it. Its worth noting that Stephen Colbert's explanation of the hilted lightsaber has helped get me through the winter season.

Zoe Catches A Train, House of Cards:
Remember that moment when Frank got away with the most un-

Thoughts On: Those We Lost In 2014

           We said goodbye to many this year...by the way...spoilers...

Stephen Colbert, Colbert Report: 

There were a lot of ways I imagined Colbert's last episode to go, thankfully it didn't disappoint. There were more celebrities singing his goodbye song then there were needless minutes on The Hobbit... Jimmy... 

Hours of My life, The Walking Dead:
You wait till now to develop Beth's character, and the you take her out

Thoughts On: The Leftovers Season 2... What's Next?

           The Leftovers packed its 10 episode debut with more depressing character development and violins than many shows would ever attempt. However, by the second half of the season, it became clear this case study on feeling like crap had something to offer. Other than all the random super natural-esque moments (that shiny dear, the exploding man hole cover), this show executed the flash back with Lost like greatness and tied slow burning story lines into one disturbing (Nora's family) and fiery (Jill should have perished) conclusion. Where does the show go from here? I heard the show will go beyond its source material, keep its leads, but focus on new locations...that said...

An exclusive, potential, probable, yet unlikely
screen shot of The Leftovers season 2...

Don't End Up Like Dexter:

Dexter went so far beyond the source material they made Miami look like Mogadishu. The show over stayed its welcome and betrayed the faithful with a horrendous last season. The Leftovers equivalent to the Dexter series finale would be to have Nora make it through eight seasons of character development just to...
1. become the wife of a bearded lumberjack from Miami

This was just off camera...in every scene

3 Thoughts On: Better Call Saul...What's Coming?

          Let me just start by saying that this show will be good. There is however always the chance that it will suffer the Star Wars prequel disorder, in that, we know where it's going so nothing feels at stake (or is that the Titanic disorder?) Does the fact that we know Saul can't die and anyone not in Breaking Bad can, hurt the show? Will Saul be able to carry the show totally independent of any Bad cameos? Will the show come anywhere close to being Breaking Bad good? Early reviews are saying it is more than worthy, that said...

Prairie Dog Noooooooooo!!!!

Mike is Back:
Bringing Mike back into the fold is probably the best Breaking Bad nod Vince Gilligan could make. It means Vince won't be afraid to bring back Bad characters which is what we all want. Hopefully introducing Mike means Gus isn't far behind...fingers crossed. As far as mike goes, the fact that one of the teasers already has

Thoughts On: The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies...Part 3

           ...And now, the defining chapter...

Obi Wan and Yoda were there in spirit form...

Gandalf's Jail Break: 
Was it cool to have essentially, the most powerful characters in all of the LOTR movies in one scene? Yes, yes indeed (and did it take up precious time? Yes, yes it did, and they might as well have thrown Treebeard, Obi Wan, and Yoda in there too). Considering the group not only rescued Gandalf, but defeated 9 wraiths and Sauron, it begs the question. Why didn't Elrond and Galadriel (I realize Saruman had turned) go with the fellowship years later? They could have seriously used some of that magic to save countless trees...

Sauron's Appearance:

An extended deleted scene from The
Battle of the Five Armies...

But the fact that Sauron just showed up to

3 Thoughts On: The Interview

           When I first saw the trailer for The Interview, I figured there might be some international controversy. Never did I think it would come down to a hack on Sony, a withdrawal of the movie, and then a reverse withdrawal. Was this movie a good idea? Was Sony right to pull it, then not pull it? Was this just a genius plan by Sony to get attention? Was this a Sony/ North Korean conspiracy? Only time will tell... the only real shame is that all this controversy is over a movie of The Interview's calibre (which is to say not very great). Here are my thoughts on said movie...

This movie was to The Lord of The Rings what
O Brother, where art Thou? was to The Odyssey...

There And Back Again:
How is it possible that after sitting through the ridiculousness that was The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, the best parts of this movie were the Hobbit references (and LOTR's ones). They must have made those Middle Earth references like 4 times, yet each one worked. Props for including

Thoughts On: The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies...Part 2

           Alfrid's nonsense, Legola's and Kate Austen's never ending fight with that one orc, Thorin's gold trip... The Battle of the Five Armies is the gift that keeps on giving...heres part 2...

Evangeline Lilly and Orlando Bloom were not first choice...

The Graboids:
Those were-worms were Graboids, and they didn't make any sense. Did the orcs pay them to tunnel them to Erebor? They were huge, why not just have them help out in the battle? Dig a giant hole under everyone...

Thranduil's Giant Elk:
Of all the things in things that made me not take this movie seriously, that elk was up there.

Thoughts On: The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies...Part 1

           I loved the original trilogy, but these Hobbit movies have felt sub par. I realize the Hobbit is a children's book, which is why I (sorta) gave that dish singing scene in the first movie a pass. Then there's those barrels...Lets just say there were so many glorious moments in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies that I could write Five posts...heres one...

The original actor cast as Bard the Bowman...

Smaug's Reign of Fire:
It's a good thing Bard took care of that dragon. But if he hadn't Matthew Mcconaughey had been there, done that... I know The Hobbit book came out first but in all honesty, that opening scene where Smaug destroys the city is straight out of 2002's Reign of Fire.

Day Light Savings:

Thoughts On: Best Random Screen Moments 2014

2014 brought us some moments we won't soon forget, and others we wish we could (like that episode on The Walking Dead Season 5 where Maggie and Glen's group waste an hour of our lives). I'd usually be against comparing TV and big screen moments but some one has to do it. In no particular order, some of the best random screen moments of 2014...

Every king was invited to this wedding...

Game of Thrones, King Joffrey's Death:

A screen shot from the directors' cut...

I don't read the books, so I didn't see this one coming. I figured Sigur Ros being at the wedding reception had to mean something since Coldplay's Will Champion was at the other one. I'll just say it, this moment was great because it killed a main character we wanted dead a long time ago. Although, this event set up the most slow burning trial ever, even The

Thoughts On: Mad Max: Fury Road Trailer

           It's nice to have George Miller return to direct this one, although, as the Star Wars prequels have proven, having your original director come back is not always a good thing. With a desert landscape brighter then Tattooine, at least I won't be falling asleep through this one...and at least I can understand what Tom Hardy is saying...Here are my thoughts...

Winston...Pedal Faster...

The CGI Didn't have Enough Sand: 
The action in the trailer is its strongest selling point no doubt. But when that giant Dust Bowl sandstorm showed up, I half expected Brendan Fraser to fly out of it. The desert cyclones and slow-mo Matrix nod at the end of the trailer didn't help.

No Mel Gibson:
The Die Hard series kept Bruce Willis, Star Wars is getting the band

Thoughts On: Rotten Tomatoes Reliability 2014

           Iv'e always stood by Rotten Tomatoes, the great movie aggregator that has basically determined whether I go out to see a movie for years now. However, 2014 has proven to be the year when I have had to question the legendary Tomatometer. Here are 3 films that I feel Rotten Tomatoes missed the mark on...

Gone Girl 88%:

I felt the same way Nora, I felt the same way...

I have to say I was really eager to see this one, it had everything going for it. David Fincher was directing, Ben Affleck was on his game (post Argo), Nora Durst from HBO's the Leftovers was in it, and most importantly, Rotten Tomatoes approved it. Problem is that (and I realize this is a book) this was two movies. The first movie (the one I wanted to see) while a bit predictable, ended with Amazing Amy riding off into the sunset. The second turned into an uncomfortable horror film that left us right where we started. I

Thoughts On: Terminator: Genisys Trailer

           A Terminator reboot isn't something Ive ever been against, especially after I heard Emilia Clarke and Jason Clarke were going to be in it. Then I heard Jai Courtney and Arnold were too... My hopes weren't dashed but then those Entertainment Weekly promo photos came out. And now, my thoughts on the new Terminator: Genisys trailer...

The Main Plot Twist Was Revealed:
Im not saying the whole "Sarah Connor knowing Kyle was coming back" twist was a great idea (because it  probably isn't). But considering everyone expected this to be a reboot, why reveal this in the trailer? Why not just surprise me with it in the theaters...(and Jai Courtney is all wrong as Kyle Reese)

Oh 90's graphics, right where I left you...

The T1000:
I get the liquid metal terminator is a part of the canon, but I wouldn't have included another one of those for this movie. I don't think the look of the T1000 is one that can necessarily be improved upon. (Jai Courtney as Kyle Reese is just wrong...).

John Connors Face:

Thoughts On: The Walking Dead Midseason 5 Finale

           Let me start by saying that I have been watching The Walking Dead since episode one and will probably keep watching it till its over. But Im Sorry, this show hasn't been interesting since that first episode (ok thats extreme, its had its moments). Considering that the show is already about zombies, you'd think the show might move a little faster but oh well...

Hawkins hasn't aged a day since Jericho...

Beth Dies and so does Dawn:
I don't think I really noticed Beth until she sang that song in the prison (after which I promptly forgot about her again). But what was the point of giving Beth a character upgrade if her fate was to die soon after. What was the relationship between Beth and Dawn for again?

That Priest is Annoying:

Thoughts On: Jurassic World Trailer

           I don't think the world needed another Jurassic Park Movie but here we go (what would Hammond say about this?) Although as an added bonus, I like Chris Pratt, Dinosaurs, and parks (and Rec, see what I did there?). Here's what I came away with from the new trailer for Jurassic World...
Item 1, Not enough CGI:
By that I mean theres too damn much CGI. I realize they aren't going to clone real Dinosaurs to be in the movie but even that iconic "Jurassic" sign everyone drives under looked fake.

Reminding me of Crystal Skull, and not in a good way

Item 2, Riding With Raptors:
While not quite the "lightsaber cross guard" of the trailer, Chris Pratt riding with raptors looked like Chris Pratt riding with raptors.

Item 3, 28 Dinosaurs Later:
Go ahead and watch the trailer for 28

Thoughts On: Star Wars, The Force Awakens Teaser

           Let me start by saying that I love Star Wars. That being said, the prequels are painful, Empire is the best, Midichlorians are crap, yadayada. After paying for a Hunger Games ticket just to see the teaser (for the big screen experience, I realize it was online), I came away with the following realizations...
Item 1, The New Lightsaber:
Lets just get this one done with, the new lightsaber is crap. If there is, has been, and always should be one factor from Star Wars that sets it apart from the rest of science fiction, its the damn lightsaber. This new saber didn't even have a solid blade, which bothered me almost as much as that awful cross guard (that everyone by now must realize doesn't protect squat) Maybe they have different lightsabers north of the wall.

Item 2, CGI...:
 What the hells up with that CGI Falcon? The X Wings didn't look great either. Seeing the Falcon reminded me of seeing those prairie dogs in Crystal Skull.

Item 3, The R2 Unit:
Lets face it, the R2 unit was on a Jabulani and it looked stupid.

Item 4, The Title:
It really doesn't help that the title of this movie isn't great. The way it slowly faded into the end of the teaser looked like I could have made it on pinnacle studio.

Thoughts On: True Detective Season 1

           (Spoiler Alert) Let me start by saying that True Detective was a good show. Quite good actually, and no gripe I have about it can change that. Mathew Mcconaughey went full Mcconaughey, Woody Harrelson had hair, and the urban shootout scene was like a sequel to Children of Men. But lets face it, despite what I can only say was some of the best character/ plot development in a while, the show let down in the end. Why?

I would have settled for that...

Item 1, The Yellow King:
I feel like that should have been more then just that piñata in the back.

Item 2, No Twist Ending:
Considering that no major characters were introduced into the show as likely candidates for being the killer (Yellow King, Spaghetti Monster, or otherwise), I almost thought the show would either...