I’m curious about everything. Even subjects that don’t interest me.
Alex Trebek
“And here’s your host, Alex Trebek!”
I found out that Alex Trebek passed away earlier today after his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends. He was 80. Trebek has been a part of my life since childhood when I discovered Jeopardy and it became my all-time favorite game show. Back then, I watched the show every night without fail. At present, I’ve been watching the show in-between and Trebek has been filming throughout his diagnosis. Although he was last in studio on Oct 29th, he has filmed episodes through to December 25th.
For more than 3 decades, Trebek has educated the world with fun and serious knowledge, instilling in us a love of trivia. And not to forget his sense of humor and witty sarcasm!
And now for one last clue: I’ll take “Great TV Personas” for $1000.
QUESTION: He was the most beloved game show host and a national treasure. Who was he?
ANSWER: Who was Alex Trebek?Β
1940-2020
Thank you, and farewell, Alex.
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I went through drafts and realized that I have a lot of incomplete articles including some trailer thoughts, so I decided to combine a few of them into one post.Β
TC in… space?
Today is July 03rd. Today, the world’s greatest stuntman turns 58. One would think that Tom will take it easy from here on, but no, he’s filming the 7th Mission, then he’ll tackle the 8th and go to space at age 60 or so. Yes, you heard right; TC’s going to space according to conflicting reports. Some are saying that TC would actually be shooting a yet-to-be-named full-length movie on location at the actual International Space Station, while others are saying that he’ll actually be going to space.
Adieu, earth pheasants!
My thoughts? Whatever floats Tom’s boat. At this point, he can shoot a movie on Pluto. However, Tom is yet to make a comment regarding this Space Odyssey adventure because he’s probably learning how to use the bathroom in zero gravity. I’m not a sucker for space anything, so color me not excited. NASA must be insane.
The Little Mermaid gets… a remake?
When it was announced last year that “The Little Mermaid” was going to get a heavy remake with Halle Bailey as lead…
…the world went ballistic! Can you hear the backsplash? For me, I’ll always prefer the redhead Ariel I grew up with.Β
I don’t care for mermaids, but I have nothing against remakes for Hollywood has been churning them out for years, but it would’ve better if Halle’s mermaid could’ve gotten her own original story instead of this hand-me-down. If a character – such as Ariel – is well written and well-loved, the character shouldn’t be changed just so another ethnicity could have representation. Why can’t new characters be created? Why is Hollywood so lazy? And Disney, can you stop with the live action films and do something original for once?
Some things are better left untouched. If it ain’t broke, don’t damage it to fix it. What’s next? Tom Cruise to portray MLK?Β
Habit
Every year, Hollywood holds a competition for which producer can come up with the wickedest portrayal of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This year, “Habit”, if it sees the light of day, given all the rightful backlash its facing at the moment definitely wins the coveted trophy. The film revolves around Bella Thorne’s character, “a street smart party girl with a Jesus fetish who gets mixed up in a violent drug deal and finds a possible way out β by masquerading as a Nun.” according to Deadline. Paris Jackson also appears in the film portraying Jesus as a lesbian woman.
Just, why?
This project is blasphemous. And “Jesus fetish”? So we’re sexualizing Jesus and poking fun of Him as usual? Just another day at the office for Hollywood.
Hollywood enjoys mocking Christianity and misrepresenting Christ. This portrayal of Jesus is perverted and have gone too far. Jesus is the Light of the world. Without Him, we wouldn’t have hope or life. We wouldn’t be looking forward to spending eternal life with Him. The church have been guilty of allowing the world (Hollywood & the music industry in particular) to influence them thus causing the congregation to drift further away from God. The sermons are watered down and the gospel is intended for the congregation to “feel good”. Preachers need to start preaching against sin and call for repentance.
Our society and culture has fallen into immorality that it’s difficult to understand how many that profess to be Christians tolerate such evil with our cheap entertainment and books about magic (Here’s looking at you, Harry Potter). The moral compass is broken just as the Living Word has prophesized. I’m not surprised by all the evil agendas for it gives me more faith that Jesus is coming soon.
This is straight from the pits of hell. May these people find the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ before it’s too late. May God use us to reach those who do not know Him so that they may accept the gift of salvation that He offers.
18Β βIf the world hates you,Β keep in mind that it hated me first.Β
19Β If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen youΒ out of the world.That is why the world hates you.Β
20Β Remember what I told you: βA servant is not greater than his master.βΒ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.Β If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.Β 21Β They will treat you this way because of my name,Β for they do not know the one who sent me.Β
22Β If I had not come and spoken to them,Β they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.Β
23Β Whoever hates me hates my Father as well.Β 24Β If I had not done among them the works no one else did,Β they would not be guilty of sin.Β As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.Β
25Β But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: βThey hated me without reason.β
John 15:18-25
We live in a world where any and everything goes. Whether we’re Christians or not, we have to be careful of the entertainment we let into our living rooms.
There is nothing new under the sun, just more sin and when it comes to Hollywood, they continue to dish it out quite beautifully. Some picture they paint! Movies such as these can be quite entertaining, but when they stand up to God’s laws, statutes, and judgements, they lack every ounce of decency and moral conduct.Β
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“If it weren’t for you meddling kids, I would’ve gotten away with this!”
Scooby-Doo is a cartoon classic. I recall spending hours watching marathons whenever it was on and I’ll have fun trying to guess whodunit.Β My favorite character was Velma Dinkley.
Jinkies! Looks like we have another mystery on our hands.
Plans to reboot the beloved film series into an animated film started in 2014. This final trailer is the result:
Scooby and the gang were scheduled to return to the big screen this month, but due to the pandemic concerns, theater doors stayed close and movies were delayed. However, Canadian and American residents got to view the movie for $19.99 via VOD from last Friday. Even if it was released in cinemas as normal, I was skipping this film for our ship has sailed.
But I’m curious? Do you like Scooby-Doo and who was your favorite character?
***GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPM are via Google Search (Right-click for original source)
The Good Doctor is the #1 most-watched drama in the world. It stars Freddie Highmore (maybe you remember him from Finding Neverland? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Or August Rush? Or maybe he’s your favorite actor?) as Shaun Murphy, a young autistic surgical resident with savant syndrome at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.Β
The medical drama is based on the 2013 South Korean series of the same name and it revolves around Dr. Shaun Murphy. Now, I don’t know a lot about the autism spectrum and I’ve been doing some research for a character write-up, but this role is difficult for anyone to play as producers strive for realism. However, I give Freddie his props for taking on this role and becoming it. The character Shaun is not defined by his diagnosis.Β
I think this show is just like every other show on TV where it concerns characters, themes, and current agendas. Take, for example, the 2nd episode of season 2 “Middle Ground” in which Paul, a hospital janitor advises Shaun to lie when the truth is unhelpful. Paul is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is given a year to live, but his wife and adult children encourage him to have risky surgery. Paul doesn’t want to have the surgery, but he wants to please his family, so he has the surgery and dies from a complication. In the event, his family squabbles and Shaun lies, telling them that Paul wanted the surgery, so they’ll stop blaming each other for his death.
How is that any of Shaun’s business? Also, the Bible makes it clear that we shouldn’t lie; it is one of the 6 things that God loathes (Proverbs 6:16-19). How did the Bible come into this? Simples, as Christians, we’re not here to be entertained. Also, the show – thus do all shows – has religious themes stamped all over it for they need to cater to every religious affiliation. There is also a hardcore feminist and an atheist. π
As for relationships, well, color me disappointed or whatever, but I won’t be getting on the Shaun and Lea bandwagon.Β
Yet, Freddie is actually brilliant in this role as Dr. Murphy.
And so too is Will Yun Lee as Dr. Alex Park. π
And that’s about it.
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I don’t know what is ‘Gretel and Hansel’, I only know ‘Hansel and Gretel’ and I’ve disliked that story from the first read. I won’t be featuring the trailer for this beautifully shot garbage, but here’s a promotional poster:
So, the dormant sibling in this is the girl because women are on top now and men suck. Why not just name the movie “Gretel” then? What are we going to have next? The Beanstalk and Jane? The Seven Dwarfs and Snow White?Jill and Jack? Tess Thumb? Come on, Hollywood agendas, this is getting ridiculous now! And to compensate for the name swaps, the girl looks like a boy anyways.Β
It’s like every feminist movie is a horror movie! All I gathered from the trailer were eyes, triangles, witches, demons, and cannibalism. Despite looking beautifully shot, the movie looks boring, slow-paced, and plain stupid. It looks like it leads nowhere and runs around in circles.Β
Eh, whaddaya expect from a feminist movie?
Movies lately have been remixed, rehashed, redefined, and remade to be given that feminine touch (See “Men In Black” & “Ocean’s 11”). It’s lazy, it’s lame, it’s overbearing, it’s tired. I guess this is what happened when the movie was first pitched:Β
Hansel and Gretel: *crickets*
Gretel and Hansel: Whoooo!!! Confetti rains from the ceiling and stacks of money are flung in the air by producers because this is genius, brilliant, and so woke! It’s edgy! It’s art! Let’s dance.
I’ll never understand why movies such as these set out to degrade men when in fact, men and women NEED EACH OTHER (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:21-24).
Meanwhile, the Russians and Chinese are training soldiers…
Meanwhile, there’s this…Β
A new Top Gun: Maverick trailer that I have no problem with for the man in charge is male and not female. Bless you, Tom Cruise.
***GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPM are via Google Search (Right-click for original source)
*Ponders* That banner could’ve undergone some more work and the fonts look a little wonky. Anyways, welcome to Trailer Reaction. To be honest, I’m not into movies as before, but this one trailer is currently trending #1 on YouTube as it was a surprise for Comic-Con after Tom turned up himself to announce it last evening and many people were curious enough to view it 10 million times and counting, topping the other trailers that came out yesterday, so we gone watch it.Β
Top Gun: Maverick β
0:02 – It’s official! 0:05-7 – The opening of this trailer is already visually appealing. 0:50 – *Gasps* Maverick is not a two-star admiral, but captain after all of these years?! Why hasn’t he moved up the ranks? I see where this storyline is going. He’s been through something that stopped him from getting promoted. I bet it has something to do with all those missions that were deemed impossible, but turned out possible in the end after all! 0:54 – First close-up of TC, and he looks great for 57! I aspire to age like this. He ages like a vintage bottle of ChΓ’teauneuf-du-Pape. π I mean, the cosmetic and makeup help too, but he is aging well. A huge plus is that he actually looks like a seasoned navy captain. 1:04 – YASSS!! 1:08 – SWEET SHOT of Maverick in the cockpit!
1:16 – The jacket! 1:17 – The shades! 1:18 – The bike! A beautiful Ninja H2R!! 1:20 –Highway tooo the daanggeerr zooneeee!!! No, wait, take my breath awaaaayyyy!π€
1:31 – Some random female pilot with the call sign ‘Phoenix’. Whose ashes is she rising from? Goose’s? TC’s? Is she the new top gun? 1:34 –Β Is that a funeral for Iceman? π€ 1:37 – Because we don’t know who TC is! 1:43 – SWEET! I bet TC flew all 3 jets at the same time, too! Great shot, though! π 2:01 – Not today, Satan! Maverick’s kind (fighter pilot and because machines are taking over) is heading for extinction but not today! I feel as if this particular line is a jab at Hollywood. If you look at the new movies coming out, the men are being replaced by the women. TC is a man’s man and women want to be one, too.Β Right, Brie? I am actually surprised that Maverick was not turned into a woman of color. Don’t @ me. 2:09 – The F-14 Tomcat is only the most iconic jet!! Also, civilians are not allowed to fly military aircraft and the last time I checked, Tom was a civilian. Also, also, the F-14 is used in the Iranian Air Force today so is Iran going to be an enemy?
After 33 years, the sequel to Top Gun that no one asked for is here. I certainly didn’t ask for it, butΒ I give this trailer a solid 5. It’s visually appealing, masterfully shot, and no CGI (If I missed it, too bad, for I’m not going back to look at it). I find no fault in this first trailer so kudos to the team.Β
I know many fans prefer the ‘Danger Zone’ soundtrack, but ‘Take My Breath Away’ for me is one of the greatest movie soundtracks of all time. Also, I noticed that the Taiwanese and Japanese flags on Maverick’s jacket have been replaced with China. Where China and Iran are concerned, this brings to mind the 200-million-man army that will counterattack the Beast power (Revelation 9:13-21).
This movie will be out in cinemas in the summer of 2020 be it God’s willing. I’ve had my fair share of movies and TC over the years, so I’ll be skipping it. This movie is also sponsored by the US Navy and had production say “no real aircraft are being used in the filming of this movie” Tom was not doing it. When it comes to military propaganda films, nothing beats Top Gun. Tom looks fantastic in uniform and is a walking commercial for the US military. After the first movie came out, the number of young men who joined the US Navy wanting to be Naval Aviators went up by 500 percent. Can you hear the patriotic chants of “USA! USA!” in 2020?
“The end is inevitable, Maverick. Your kind is heading for extinction”.
“Maybe so sir… but not today.”
After this trailer, I am pretty much afraid to watch the other trailers YouTube recommended which include Cats so I’ll leave those for next time for I don’t think I’m going to watch a better trailer than this for the rest of the year… and that’s putting it nicely. After all, there is literally nothing new under the sun. π
I didn’t schedule anything for the blog today, but I was going through drafts and came across a half finish movie review, so I’ll be completing it today! π
“Everyone loves a holiday, but holidays don’t last forever.” Harry
WARNING:If you like, love, adore, or even worship SRK, then you better look away. Now. I said, now!
What would’ve taken me one sitting to watch a 2-hour movie took me a week. It was probably the first movie of SRK’s that I cringed throughout. In this movie, SRK is a tourist guide currently working in Amsterdam. His name is Harry and he’s a lonely man because he’s a “cheap womanizer”.
Harry drops a family off at the airport and here is where Miss Sejal comes in: she’s a member of the same family, but she can’t leave with them for she lost her engagement ring and she wants Harry to help her find it.Β
What could’ve been a funny-while-finding-oneself movie ends up being quite the opposite when Sejal leads the tour guide on a goose chase around Europe in search of an engagement ring when it was right in her bag all along.Β Bakwas!Β This movie was like forcing myself to finish a bad book. I enjoyed the European sights, but the dialogue was so cringy, it made the movie messier.Β
Here is the unbelievable logic of this movie: Sejal has been carrying around a bag since the beginning of the movie and she does not look in it until she and Harry are kidnapped. What does she look in the bag for? Antiseptic to clean Harry’s wounds. She empties the contents of her handbag and THERE, nestled in the bag was the ring all along. Are you telling me that as a woman she just carried the bag around Europe as arm decoration? Wouldn’t a woman turn her bag inside-out once she discovers that her engagement ring is missing? Had she done this at the very beginning of the movie, then this movie wouldn’t have seen the light of day so the writer had to prolong it.
As for character development, there was none. Let’s start with Harry.
More live scenes of me during JHMS
Harry is a womanizing travel guide. This was established early on in the movie. However, he comes off as a pervert. To be fair, SRK’s so-call romancing skills are actual perverted stalking skills, but who’s calling him out for it, eh? The ladies love him and they want him to stalk them. Him speaking German was lit, though! There’s a scene where Harry gets a flashback of his hometown in Punjab and he starts crying… then breaks into the most annoying song of the film ‘Radha’. Why do you hate me so much, Bollywood?
When Sejal arrives, she is annoying from the first frame and she talks and talks and talks and all the way to the end. She’s a lawyer, but I didn’t get any lawyerly vibes from her. She has a fiance, but she wants Harry to find her sexy, attractive, lit, for Harry thinks she’s a ‘sister type’ and this makes her mad. If anything, she should’ve thanked him for there was no hope or redemption for her character.Β
And she’s right for their chemistry was forced.Β I had no idea if the movie and I were watching the same movie, for I didn’t see how, why, and where Harry starts to fall for this ‘sister type’. Their pairing in this movie was just not happening. SRK had more chemistry with the European ladies than Anushka. Such a shame that one of those European women were not his leading lady!
SRK literally launched Anushka Sharma’s Bollywood career inΒ Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Their pairing was beautiful to watch! They next appeared inΒ Jab Tak Hai Jaan and although they weren’t endgame, their chemistry in this movie was also a good thing. Endgame was SRK and Katrina Kaif’s characters.Β
I felt as if this movie came too late for thisΒ jodi, but they’ll have a chance to redeem their chemistry inΒ ZeroΒ (see details after Final Notes).Β
FINAL NOTES:
^ The best thing about this movie was SRK listening to French music.
^ They should’ve called this movie “The Ring” or “Desperately Seeking the Ring”.
^ SRK does not know how to hold a woman so 90% of the time, they hold him.
^ And stop reducing SRK to a crying mess. It does not make my heart ache and feel sorry for him, it actually makes me want to punch his face! REAL. HARD!
^ SRK does not know how to kiss (unless it’s Miss Kaif) so someone should tell him to stop attempting to kiss on screen. They are cringy.Β
^Β Please, Bollywood, I beg of you, stop reducing SRK to the ladies man. He’s getting down in age now; give him something suitable and relatable like his role in Dear Zindagi. SRK will be 70 and he’ll still be trying to woo young girls’ hearts. Nauseating.
^ I blame the writer for 99.9% of this mess.Β
^ Final verdict: They should’ve never met. I can write a better love story for SRK. He’ll be deaf, his name would be Jai and he’ll try to win the heart of a Romanian woman. Now, that’s a challenge! π
ZERO
WHY????
I want a pocket-sized SRK, too!Β Oh, I think that’s EXACTLY what the producers wanted when they made SRK a dwarf for this film.Β
The gang’s all here
This film. This film. Where do I begin?
Two years or so ago, there were talks about SRK portraying a vertically challenged man in a film byΒ Aanand L. Rai. The name of the film is calledΒ ZeroΒ and it sees SRK reunite with his leading ladies fromΒ Jab Tak Hai Jaan.Β I watched the trailer and I like what I see between SRK and Anushka’s characters this time around.Β
Although SRK is getting all the positive feedback, I think people should look out for Anushka’s character. She’s portrayingΒ a specially-abled person named Aafia Yusufzai Bhinder. Kaif would portray herself: a movie star. And I see that SRK is back to the kissing again. Eh, Kaif can do two things better than acting anyways: kissing and dancing. This movie is said to be SRK’s most expensive thus far and while it’s giving meΒ My Name Is Khan vibes, I think this movie is going to be HUGE and it might just be one of the biggest if not the biggest Bollywood movie of the year. Yes, that was sarcasm. I think SRK’s best days are behind him, but we’ll see.
Actual Story:Β Darkness seeks to create eternal night by destroying the last of the unicorns and marrying a fairy princess is opposed by the forest boy Jack and his elven allies. This story was actually taken from Celtic mythology.
Last month, my bestie reminded me that I was doing the 80s movie challenge which was far removed from my mind. It’s been a while since I’ve updated the TC Movie Challenge. Today, I’m about to attack a beloved classic.Β
Many people would tell you that they grew up loving this film and it’s their favorite of TC even if they’re not fans of his. I did not grow up with this film so if you love this movie, I don’t care. And I was like TC, too, during this movie, for half the time he didn’t know why he was in a scene. Half the time I didn’t know why the scene was even a scene. π€·ββοΈ
“Am I lost? One thing’s for sure, I’m not in Kansas anymore, Toto!… and why is that girl running towards me?!”
I saw this movie for the first time two years ago and it was nothing special.Β I made notes so this is going to be a note-taking kind of review.Β Β
^ A princess singing to animals and flowers? Is this the live version of Snow White? Or was it Cinderella? Everyone (I don’t know who EVERYONE is since we’ve never met the King & Queen) expects Princess Lili to marry a prince, but she doesn’t want to for she’s in love with the jungle boy.
^ This is TC’s first role as Jack. He’ll eventually go on to be Jack Reacher (LOVE!) and Jack Harper narrowly missing out on as Jack in Jack & the Beanstalk. So, Lili is in love with this Jack who’s actually the Prince of the Woods who’s actually the offspring of Tarzan and Peter Pan. Jack is friends with a crow and he is quite likable. His princess girlfriend? Eh, not so much. Lili steals from a nice poor old lady and then offers the food to Jack. Isn’t she a princess? Why can’t she take food from the palace to feed the forest vagrant? And of course, it’s a heart-shaped cookie. How much more subtle can one get in proclaiming their love without actually saying those 3 little words? Does it hurt to say them?
Behold, the forest dweller!Β
^Β Again, why is a so-call princess allowed to roam freely in the forest alone with no guards at her side?
^ Jack speaks every animal language known to… animal kind (Dr. Doolittle who?), even unicorn.
^ “Let me sing to you,” Lili wants to seduce Jack with her lovely voice after she kisses him and here is that delightful conversation:
Lily: Are you afraid to kiss me, Jack? Jack: I’m afraid you’ll break my heart. Lily: Then still your heart. You’re dear to me as life itself. (Proceeds to remove the ring from her finger) Don’t you wish this was our wedding ring? Jack: If I say yes, would my wish come true? Lily: I’m a princess. It’s my right to set a challenge for my suitors.Β
That little trollop! Why play hard to get when you’re already in love with someone, huh? And that conversation was cringe to the max!
When Tom has better hair than the leading lady…
^ Moving on, the land is now turned to ice. I can’t remember why because I stopped paying attention, but I think it’s something to do with Lili ignoring Jack Doolittle and talking to the unicorns. How does she even know unicorn language? Oh, right, she’s young, pure and has an innocent heart. The goblin Blix succeeds in cutting the horn off the unicorn thus freezing the entire land (Frozen anyone?) except for Jack, Lili, and some fairy kinda looking folks. I think this is what happened, but if it didn’t happen, I don’t care.
^ Time skip.
^ Time skip.
^ More time skip.
^ There’s someone more powerful than Jack in the forest and he’s a childlike thing name… Gum. No, wait, it’s Gump.Β Honeythorn Gump. And he throws legendary tantrums!Β
^ So, Darkness kidnaps Lili and Jack and his fairy looking friends must get her back and they must also try to get back the horn… to be honest, I stopped following the plot, but here enters Tinkerbell’s cousin, I mean, Oona. This fairy even tries to seduce Jack so she can get a kiss out of him telling him “I could be anything you want me to be, even your heart’s desire.” The Swamp Hag even tries to seduce Jack calling him a “Juicy boy” although to be fair, she was trying to have him for dinner, but the sexual reference was not to be missed. At one point, the old hag acknowledges his youth and tries to kiss him. WHAT? And children watched this? Unbelievable! WHY WAS EVERYONE SEDUCING JACK? HAVE THEY NEVER SEEN AN ATTRACTIVE MALE BEFORE?
Crazy eyes Oona is psycho for Jack, yo! I love when Jack called her desperation ‘fairy glamour’ and that’s about the only thing I love for it was so random!
And once again, Tom is so out of place that sometimes he looks… regretful for taking on the role of Jack. He’s like ‘Who drugged me and what even I am doing here?’
“Oh, dear! I think I might be lost again! What did they put in my water?”Β
^ Darkness is hot for Lili. He wants to tempt her, tame her, make her his. Satan, is that you? Oh, well, I guess it is. Lili doesn’t look the type to be fascinated by material things given her love for Jack and animals, so tempting her with jewels and her stupidly falling for it all of a sudden was not believable.
^ Table dancing! Cue the part where Jack is fighting the bad guys on top of a table and the camera just loves him! It keeps the focus on his thighs, those amazing legs, and his backside. And WHY DOES JACK KEEP FALLING WITH HIS LEGS UP IN THE AIR? Did the creepy director had other motives? I bet he did! It’s Hollywood after all and they’re not always subtle with the sexual messages they’re trying to convey.
^ Finally, Jack takes on Lord Darkness. Light defeats darkness and the light in this one is Jack. Of course. Of course. TC has a megawatt smile that can light up a thousand dark cities after all. He’s full of love and full of light. Oh, wait, that’s Yugi.
Darkness teases Jack about being a boy, but when he thought he had victory in his red claws, he taunts, “It’s always a pleasure to take a brave man’s life.” But Jack eventually defeats him so take my life too, Jack, for I wouldn’t get the time back I spent watching this rubbish. Please, I beg of you, take it!
^ Tom Cruise screams. He screams just like inΒ The Mummy… I guess Nick Morton is actually Jack all grown up. He escaped the forest and Lili is the mummy who returns to haunt him. I recall saying that prior to The Mummy, I’ve never heard him scream before. It figures that I haven’t seen this rubbish film as yet so I didn’t know what his screams sounded like then.
^ Jack gracefully falls into the water. I think that was TC’s body double.
^ Jack kisses a sleeping cursed LiliΒ Sleeping BeautyΒ style. She wakes up in the forest happy to be with her one true love. And scene.Β
FINAL THOUGHTS
I still have no idea why this movie was so popular or why it’s even someone’s favorite film or why it’s referred to as a genius. The movie was dark (actually a dark fairy tale), they were constantly objectifying certain parts of Tom’s body and he wore a tunic without pants. WHY? We get that his legs are killer for he never missed leg day, but would it have killed for wardrobe to get him some pants? Tom was what, 20, 21 or something like that in this film? Mia Sara was only 16. And Tim Curry… ew! *shudders*
I’ve read that they wanted this movie to be even DARKER in which the Darkness lord torments Lili until she loves him and they would’ve had violent relations after. Ewww!
This film was nothing but a sex metaphor pot which over-sexualized Tom’s body… which is creepy in its own way. The horn on the unicorn is a phallic symbol and in medieval mythology, it was said that only a virgin could attract a unicorn and lull it to sleep so hunters could kill it. Lili attracts the male unicorn and Jack scolds her reminding her that it’s forbidden to touch a unicorn. She doesn’t listen and the forest is plunged into winter.Β
Lili becomes the bride of Darkness after dancing with a shadow and dancing is a ceremonial symbol of sex hence why Bollywood likes sexy dance numbers in their movies. π
And how does Tom’s hair remained glorious throughout?Β
DISCLAIMER:Β Tom Cruiseβs killer legs, good looks, talent, and great looking hair have since disavowed any and all associations with this film. They’ve since gone on to star in decent better films and making their owner look good while performing those roles.
Tom does not mention this film on his resume and it’s the film he never talks about whenever his career comes up.Β
TRIVIA
^Β At the time prior to filming, Tom Cruise had a disliking for cutting his hair. When he was cast for the part, his long locks were the perfect look for the forest-dwelling Jack. It is the longest length of Tom’s natural hair captured in a film. Word? I thought his hair was longest inΒ The Last Samurai? I guess it’s safe to say that TC doesn’t like long hair anymore for he got the memo that he looked like a free-spirited LA hippie.
So much hair! Dude looks like a hippie!
^Β Mia Sara was only sixteen during the filming of Legend. Sara was born in 1967, so she was sixteen in 1984 when production for the film began. But it took a further three years before Legend was finally completed by Ridley Scott, because of the film’s immensely troubled production history.
^Β The sound of the unicorns at play is actually a recording of humpback whales. I figured those were whale sounds!
^Β Jack’s armor is made from flattened bottle caps.
(Via IMDb)
Would I watch it again?: I rather soak my eyes with bleach.
Memorable Lines: when the credits start rolling.
***All photos and GIFs via Google Search
UP NEXT:
Top Gun ββΒ πΆTake my breath awaaaayyyy….πΆ
The following discussion/rant may contain spoilers due to the writer being unable to hold back excitement or rants. If you have not seen the movie as yet and you plan to, don’t read this. If you plan to see it, but don’t mind spoilers or if you’re just curious about someone else’s thoughts other than yours, then by all accounts, be my guest.Β
Let this sink in: it’s been 22 years since Tom Cruise embarked on a mission to save the world as Ethan Hunt. Twenty-two years since I’ve met Ethan Hunt and decided that he’s my favorite action spy.Β
And he’s still doing things James Bond could only dream about in his sleep. The latest Mission has been certified fresh…
…but I don’t need Rotten Tomatoes to tell me so. The pulse-pounding engaging action had me leaping off a rooftop and ducking from bad guys… okay, that did that happen… but it happens in my writing!Β
Mission: Impossible – FalloutΒ is a solid summer blockbuster. When I first watched the movie, I couldn’t decide if to give it 4 or 5 stars. I eventually settled on five and because of that, I’ll be discussing why I give the movie this rating instead of doing a ‘traditional’ review. This post can get lengthy. You’ve been warned. Again. π
Ethan HuntΒ
Unfortunately, this clip didn’t make the final cutΒ π’
Ethan gets better with age and experience. He is the heart of the team and a great leader. Tom Cruise IS Ethan and this character should never be recast.Β I also love the fact that McQ treats Hunt like a human rag doll rather than a superhero. He is human after all and we have to buy into the character which was well written. Hunt makes James Bond look lazy with his incredible running form and work ethic.Β After all, the best lie Tom ever told is that he’s an actor when he’s actually a real-life spy who uses acting as his cover.
Christopher McQuarrie is a directing genius!
I feel as if McQ doesn’t get enough props. The first movie I’ve seen of his wasΒ Jack Reacher. Where Rohit Shetty doesn’t seem to know what he wants to do with cars besides flipping them, sinking them and blowing them up (Dilwale, Chennai Express, etc.), McQ approaches car scenes with action respect. He coordinates car chases spectacularly as in the case of Jack Reacher even though the poor Chevelle takes a crucial blow. RIP.
What I also love about McQ, he doesn’t use any fancy sounds/songs to strangle the action scene, something I’ll talk about when I reach the bathroom fight. He served as a director onΒ Rogue NationΒ and Tom brought him back to doΒ Fallout. McQ has topped himself and I wish Tom could work with him for the rest of his action life. What am I talking about? I don’t want to see Ethan Hunt in a wheelchair! πMcQ knows how to craft spectacles and I take my hat off to him. I’ll love for him to direct one of my screenplays… well if I wrote any.Β
The stuntsΒ
TC is going to die while performing one of those crazy stunts one day, but he’ll go out doing what he loves for I bet he’ll find a way for the writers to write his death into the movie. Anyways, if you were to look up the word ‘stunt’ in the dictionary, you’ll probably see Tom Cruise as the definition. While it’s admirable that at 56, he still wants to do his own stunts, ain’t nothing wrong with the green screen sometimes.Β
I enjoyed the stunts, though. There was a car chase in Paris and going the wrong way on a motorcycle at the Arc de Triomphe. A helicopter chase was shot in New Zealand, the HALO (high altitude low opening) jump sequence in Abu Dubai and the fight scene on Pulpit Rock in Norway. Watching TC dangle from a helicopter over dizzying landscapes was gasp-worthy.Β
Yeah, he plane crazy!
GIF via Skydance
The action
Thrilling! The action was thrilling from start to end. It’s probably the best action movie of the century. The action in this film was kicked up a notch because McQ and TC had to top Rogue Nation. There’s a tunnel shootout, bike runs, car chases, running, cliff climbing, and helicopter parachuting. There’s a sequence where the camera rolls with TC for a few seconds in an uninterrupted sprint across a rooftop in London and I was sitting there randomly thinking, ‘Bolt was lucky to not have to compete with that!’Β
BMW rules!
Two BMWs make appearances in this film. At the beginning of the film, the sleek and classy brand-new BMW M5 makes her cinematic debut and it was gorgeous eye candy for a few minutes.Β
However, the real star of the film was a classic 1986 E28 BMW 5 Series which Ethan Hunt bashed! I mean, he went in on that car. A funeral was promptly held after the drifting scene.
He even smashed a BMW motorcycle in the Parisian streets.
*shrugging* Sue me. I like seeing things get damaged… fictionally speaking of course!
That bathroom fight scene!
I talked about this epic fight scene in a post last month, but I’ll touch on it again. The fight looks realistic despite Liang Yang tearing a drain pipe from the wall as if he’s Hulk. I love that Hunt doesn’t beat everyone in the room singlehandedly and walks out unscathed, but he gets blows and lands blows. Even August Walker gets his butt kicked. The fight choreography was well done right down to Hunt’s keysi moves and reaction timing. The fact that there is no music makes it even better for the realism and grittiness simply shines through. Hollywood (and Bollywood), take note, for THIS is how you do a fight scene.
August WalkerΒ
I love the name, but I like Henry Cavill better when he isn’t speaking. I get why women like him: he’s tall, dark, brooding and good-looking, but thankfully, the man is not my cup of tea and I can watch movies with my eyes open. I’ll rather watch TC watch paint dry anyway.Β
Walker is an assassin who is put in charge of babysitting Hunt if he ever tries to go rogue again. This is a spoiler, but when Hunt was telling Walker how to catch John Lark and Hunt aims the masked gadget at Walker’s face, it foreshadows that Walker and Lark are one person. I like the character, but I feel as if Cavill didn’t do Walker much justice. He’s wooden but shares good chemistry with TC. It gave me immense pleasure when Walker met his demise in the end.
Men in suits
White Widow and EthanΒ
Vanessa Kirby as Alanna Mitsopolis aka White Widow the daughter of Max from the first MI was my favorite female (shockingly!) and I would’ve loved to see more of her. She is a lover of paradoxes and there is playful chemistry between her and Ethan.Β
I guess if Hunt wasn’t already spoken for, there might have been some sort of ‘relationship’ between these two characters for they look good together.Β
Ilsa Faust and Ethan
Their relationship is complex, but they care about each other. Ilsa has Hunt’s best interest at heart and she’s sort of protective of him. Although he doesn’t need her protectiveness, her hovering is kind of cute.
They’re endgame after all and although many fans complain that they’re yet to kiss, I don’t have any problem at all. Their tenderness for each other is beautiful enough.Β
The 3 Musketeers!Β
And everyone else…
The cast gelled great and Tom Cruise seems to have some sort of chemistry with everyone. The women (White Widow and Ilsa Faust) are not sexualized like the Bond films even when the camera is on them.Β They’re capable and independent and they’re not in need of rescuing. Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg) and Erica Sloane (Angela Bassett) were also given their moments to shine regardless of their time on screen. I was particularly happy to see a chapter close for Hunt’s ex-wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan). Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) was scary good and Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin) might have made his last appearance as the IMF Secretary.Β
The supporting cast was great and I love how McQ layers a character.
The Ending
When the credits start rolling, I realized that FalloutΒ actually closes out a chapter in the series leaving room for a new story altogether.Β The storytelling started withΒ Rogue NationΒ all thanks to McQ. It also closes the storyline of Ethan Hunt being a one-man show for he now has someone by his side to bear the burden with him. This brings us to the 7th MI which Tom says is going to be in the works and has asked McQ to direct. If McQ does direct the 7th MI, it’ll be a trilogy of sorts for him. He breathed new life into a 22-year-old franchise in which the main character is still Tom Cruise. I have no idea what they’ll do for the 7th one, but I think they should come film in the Caribbean. You know? Change up the scenery a little bit? Trinidad has a lot to offer. πOr maybe they can head to space. Now that’s going to be an impossible mission for sure!
Thoughts aside, while it’s refreshing to see that TC refuses to stereotype himself as a ‘grandpa’ actor (taking on certain roles because his boyish charms are long gone), I refuse to see Hunt in a wheelchair.Β
Overall
The lighting and the atmosphere in the movie is just gorgeous! The movie was like a dose of human love towards humanity. It was relentlessly entertaining, the plot was solid, and it’s the only franchise I’ve seen get better with every film. Everything was well done from the directing, writing, music score, and cinematography. This film was made for fans and not to appease Hollywood elitists. There were several scenes that were shown in the trailer that didn’t make it into the final cut, but the movie turned out well and the shots of Paris were magnifique!Β
TRIVIA
^Β Tom Cruise trained for an entire year to perform the HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) stunt in this film.
^Β Solomon Lane is the first villain in the franchise to appear in two films.
^Β At 2 hours and 27 minutes, this is the longest “Mission: Impossible” film to date.Β Still wasn’t long enough for some people (including my sister and friend) who didn’t want it to end.Β
^Β Christopher McQuarrie was the first director in the franchise to direct more than one film.
^Β The bathroom fight was meant to be shot in 4 days but due to the complexity of the fight, it ends up being shot over 4 weeks.Β Best. Fight. Ever!
^Β This was the first “Mission: Impossible” film to be released in 3-D.
^Β Tom Cruise did all stunts by himself.Β Props.
^Β The building Tom Cruise was jumping across when he broke his ankle is Baynard House, near Blackfriars, in London. It is a building owned by BT and used as offices, meeting rooms, a car park, data routing centre and telephone exchange.
^Β The helicopter which Ethan Hunt pilot is an H125 which was manufactured by Toulouse-based company Airbus.Β Ayy, France!Β
^Β Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames are the only actors to appear in all six “Mission: Impossible” films.
(Via IMDb)
Would I watch it again?: Already did.
Memorable Lines:
Solomon Lane:Β There cannot be peace without first a great suffering. The greater the suffering, the greater the peace. The end you’ve always feared… is coming.
AND
Delivery Man: Fate whispers to the warrior. Ethan Hunt: There’s a storm coming. Delivery Man: And the warrior whispers back. Ethan Hunt: I am the storm.
***All photos and GIFs via Google Search
If you’ve read the entirety of this discussion, thank you, or simply skip and came to the end of this, I have a question for you: Did you enjoy Fallout as much as I did?Β
Mes Amis, this is my final post on the World Cup tournament. π
We came to the end of a wonderful World Cup tournament two weeks ago and I already have wonderful long lasting memories. I just want to look back on a few moments.Β
THE SUPPORTERS
The fans were incredible from the very beginning. They soaked in the atmosphere of the game and enjoyed every minute of it. I didn’t hear of any hooligan reports which was good. Some French fans said the locals were very accommodating and allowed them to couch surf.Β
DIDIER DESCHAMPS
Deschamps implemented discipline and a sense of togetherness in this young team. He even showed Jose Mourinho how to get the best out of Paul Pogba. π One of my favorite moment is when some of the playersΒ gatecrashed his post-conference, chanting his name. It shows that the players have a special bond with him regardless of what the media thinks.
LES BLEUS
The various backgrounds blending together really enriched the squad.
They didn’t start well, but they grew during the tournament. When I look back at their victory against Croatia, I’ll always remember Les Bleus standing in the pouring rain, golden confetti stuck to their skin and sparkling in their hair, as they hoist the trophy over their heads. They deserved this victory. They and their people.
THE EMIR PRINCE OF QATAR SHEIKH TAMIM
The French media praised him for offering his front-row seat to theΒ French First Lady Brigitte Macron. Little things that the media don’t talk about, but I want to highlight it anyway.Β
Emmanuel Macron was such a delight! After his team won the WC, his animated display made one of the best highlight and iconic photo when he lept to his feet and punch the air. Credit goes toΒ Alexei Nikolsky for this superb capture!
His celebration with the team in the locker room – notably with Mendy and Pogba who got him to dab – made headlines.
What’s the purpose of the dab anyway and didn’t that fad fade away?Β Anyway, I loved watching Macron and the Croatian presidentΒ Kolinda Grabar-KitaroviΔ embracing the players in the pouring rain. One can see theΒ genuine warmth and affection they had for the players.
Putin is smugly standing under his umbrella watching the other two presidents get wet. What poor protocol! They are guests in Moscow and one of them is a woman. Macron took time to visit the Croatian players and the madam did the same for the French players.
However, people can’t get over that the Monsieur and the Madam were too close during the game. Someone even asked if she was his wife.Β
No, this is his wife:
Β Lloris looks at the pair with such fondness!Β
I’m thankful for the French memories.
TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE
Kudos to you, Russia, for organizing an unforgettable tournament!Β It’s the best World Cup I’ve had the pleasure of viewing since 1998 and I can only say,Β merci beaucoup.
VIVE LA FRANCE!
***Photos and GIFs via Google Search save the last GIF which was my attempt at creating my first GIF. πΒ It didn’t work out how I planned it, but that’s what practice is for.Β
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