Two Movie Reviews! ONE POST!!!

This post has reviews of two movie sequels that are different as black and white.  That's why I chose Opposites Flower as today's "fractal cookie.  So sit back and enjoy the review of The Hangover Part 2 and Kung Fu Panda 2 (unless you have other plans--in which case what are you doing reading this blog?)  So--on with the reviews!
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A MOVIE SO (NOT) NICE THEY MADE IT TWICE!
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Truth-in-blogging requires me to say that Robyn and I are two of the few people who didn't love The Hangover.  Still, we were in the minority.  If you happen to be one of those who liked The Hangover you're pretty much guaranteed to enjoy The Hangover Part 2 SINCE IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME MOVIE!!!  (Make a timeline of both movies then place them side-by-side and see if it's not exactly the same movie.)  There's no point in repeating the plot: if you saw the first movie you've seen the sequel.
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Bradley Cooper proves he has real "leading man" chops playing Phil, the ringleader of this merry band of misfits.  Ed Helms is still completely schlubby as Stu (and, yes, he gets a song).  Zach Galifanakis is even more of a passive-aggressive a##h#le in the sequel while Justin Bartha gets quickly pushed out of the action (just like the first movie).  Ken Jeong has a larger role as Mr. Chow (and thus is more annoying).  Even Mike Tyson shows up for another turn in the barrel.  Only the tiger escapes this travesty (to be replaced by a drug-dealing chain-smoking monkey).
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The Hangover Part 2 pushes the bounds of outrageousness but I found most of the humor more cringe-inducing than laugh-out-loud (or even quietly) funny.  There's plenty of shock value but not a lot to give you belly laughs.  Still, the movie has the biggest opening-week Box Office ever so I must be missing something.  Still, I'll be interested in seeing what the box office does next week.  The movie isn't for kids (or a lot of adults) so let your opinion of the last movie help decided whether you want to see the sequel.
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I found The Hangover Part 2 particularly annoying.  The actors weren't required to go anywhere new with their roles and all the scriptwriters had to do was bring up copies of the first script on their laptops and make a few small changes.  All the Producers had to do was sit back and rake in the cash.  This is just laziness of the worst sort so that, if for no other reason, is why I rated this a complete failure.
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FINAL GRADE: F- 
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HOW TO MAKE A SEQUEL THE RIGHT WAY
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When I went to see Kung Fu Panda I wasn't expecting much: in fact I expected I'd hate it from start to finish: boy was I surprised!  From start to finish the movie was a triumph.  Going in to Kung Fu Panda 2 I was expecting a great deal--and I'm happy to report the movie exceeded expectations on almost all levels.  Yes, you've seen the plot before but the movie has so much heart you quickly get sucked in and can forgive a lack of originality.
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Jack Black brings the perfect combination of comedy, heart and vulnerability to his portrayal of Panda Po.  Too much comedy or too much pathos could have driven the performance into a ditch but he managed to walk the knife edge of excellence.  Gary Oldman simply oozes evil, as only a classicaly-trained English Actor can, in the part of Lord Shen the albino peacock.  Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and most of the original supporting cast reprise their roles and do first-rate jobs befitting top-drawer talent. 
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Even if the script was complete crap the movie would be worth seeing on the big screen simply because of the sheer beauty of the art.  With Kung Fu Panda 2, Dreamworks Animation has finally caught up (and maybe even passed) Disney Pixar.  Whether the scene is loaded with action or simply a pastoral setting there's always something beautiful to see.  The movie is sure to be nominated for a Best Animated Feature Oscar (and will probably win.)
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Kung Fu Panda 2 can be enjoyed by the whole family--from grandparents to young kids (who are old enough to sit through a movie at least).  So what if there's a lack of original plotting?  The formula is classic and it is executed to perfection.  The movie would survive a small screen but the scope and beauty of the picture can best be appreciated on the big screen.
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FINAL GRADE: A+ 

Today's Taste Treat: Rapture Fudge!

You knew I was going to talk about the nonsese about the once-and-future Rapture eventually!  I tried to resist--really I did but the dude just--won't--go--away!  Naturally, since we're talking religion (however peripherally) I had to go to the Stained Glass series for your fractal cookie.  I chose Stained Glass 59 for today's post because the black and white colors represent the two opposite viewpoints and the spikes represent the thorniness of the issue.  (OK, that's all BS: I picked it 'cause I think it's a cool picture!)  Now--on with today's rant!
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I've always been secretly fascinated by predictions of the future: it started back in grade school when a local Pastor predicted that God would send a great earthquake that would sink California into the sea--drowning millions.  (I don't remember the man's name but, in his defense, he wasn't the only one making the prediction back then.)  I remember several kids in my class moving out with families selling everything so they would be safe from the destruction.  Well, needless to say the "Big One" never came.  Neither did Y2K or any other "end of days" prophecies.
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Harold Camping made a big splash predicting the world would end on May 21 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.  Needless to say--he was wrong...  His web site (which had a "Countdown to Judgement Day" Clock) quickly scrubbed any mention of his Judgement Day prediction.  Still, the guy couldn't leave well enough alone: he had to put himself back into the barrel for another round of ridicule.  He recently announced that he was wrong because of a "mathematical error" and that the world will REALLY end on October 21.  (Dunno if he predicted a time.)  Further, we've already had our "spiritual Jugement Day" which has placed the world under Christ's judgement.  What I find particularly funny is that he said there was now no longer any need to warn people since the judgement has been accomplished--yet Family Radio Network continues to broadcast.
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The sad part of the story is all the people who spent their own money (in some cases most of their retirement savings) to publicize the upcoming Rapture that never happened.  You have to wonder how many other good (gullible) folks did foolish (and maybe dangerous) things because of this prediction.  You also have to wonder how many potential Christians were turned away because this idiot had to shoot off his mouth in such a massively public way.  (Is Harold Camping doing Satan's work?  YOU decide!!!) 
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Mr. Camping didn't come across as particularly humbled by his gaffe.  His "I wasn't really wrong" didn't win him any friends.  Will he repent when the world isn't destroyed on October 21?  I kind of doub it.  I have to wonder if he has some sort of neurotic need to make a public spectacle of himself and I don't think he cares about the collateral damage.
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So now I get to wait until October 21 for the world to end--and December 21, 2012 when the Mayan calendar says the world will end.  But--remember this. In case of Rapture this blog will probably keep on publishing!
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'nuff said. 

Yo Ho-Hum A(nother) Pirate...

A review of a Pirates of the Caribbean movie requires somthing do do with water or the Caribbean.  Since I don't have anything Caribbean I chose Waterdeep as today's fractal cookie.  Now--on with the review!
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So Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has rolled into a multiplex near you.  Judging by the packed houses (and those waiting to get into the show) this movie is a critic-proof as the other three.  (I fact, the domestic take was estimated nearly 350 million dollar world wide.)  Fans of the series will find lots of their old favorites back again: Johnny Depp is still having fun as Captain Jack Sparrow and Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa is still oozingly venomous.  Many popular supporting characters are back (at least for a bit).  The movie is substantially shorter than "P of the C3" and it doesn't suffer for that.  You have lots of action and classy effects to keep you on your seat and lots of clever bits to keep you amused when there's no fighting on screen.  Penelope Cruz steps into the franchise as Blackbeard's daughter Angelica and she is, in many ways, a female version of Jack so she is an especially good foil for him.
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The not so good news is--you've seen this all before: the addition of a strong female character for Captain Jack to play against is a good things for the series but that's about all you can say for new material.  Yes, there's plenty of cleverness but there's nothing new to recommend it.  I almost got the feeling that cast and crew alike were "phoning in" their performances: I don't know what I was looking for but I didn't find it here.  Oh--they set up for a fifth installment so I guess we can expect even more Pirates come May 2013.  Still, if you liked the first three (and aren't too judgemental) you'll probably like this one as well: there's plenty of time to enjoy the movie so go have some empty-headed fun if that's what you're looking for.
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FINAL GRADE: B-  

Thor Fails To Bring The Thunder

Picking fractal "cookies" for these reviews is sometimes quite difficult: lucky for me there are times when it is simplicity itself.  All I had to to was run over to the "Mythology" series in my fractal gallery and grab Thor for my review of--wait for it--THOR!  So, on with the review.
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I'd better start this review with a bit of a confession: although I'm a comic-book fan, I've never been particularly enamored of Marvel's version of Thor.  Not exactly sure why: maybe it was the costume or maybe the "Odinson" just seemed too powerful for the rest of the Avengers.  Add to it a crowded theater (with way too many screaming kiddies) and I wasn't expecting a lot.  Still, Robyn wanted to go so we went.  What I got was about what I expected.
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Plot or character wise, Thor doesn't cover any new ground: the eponymous title character begins as a brash young man more ready to fight than think.  After being manipulated into starting a war he is cast out of Asgard and forced to learn humility to regain his power (at just the right moment to save the day), developing a new relationship along the way.  Chris Hemsworth certainly has the look to pull off Thor and doesn't come off looking too silly (given what he has to work with).  Anthony Hopkins comes off curiously light weight as Odin.  Loki (thanks to some bad script decisions) is a complete mess with muddled motives and conflicting emotions that make no sense at all: Tom Hiddleston has anger and gravitas to spare but fails to bring charm or a sens of fun to the character (which, IMHO, Loki desperately needs to make him half-way believable.)  Meanwhile on Earth Natalie Portman gets shafted by the script: her Jane Foster is supposed to be a noted astrophysicist but her character is mostly reduced to being a sideline cheerleader and mooney damsel.  Worse, she gets upstaged by sidekick Darcy (Kat Denning) who should be arrested for scene stealing (and she does it every time she's on camera).  Stellan Skaarsgaard as Dr. Eric Selvig comes across as the Deus ex Machina who serves no purpose other than to get the writers out of awkward situations when their re-working of the characters paints them into a corner.  Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson from the Iron Man franchise) is along to provide continuity and there's a brief, uncredited appearance by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. 
Also uncredited is Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye (who will be in next year's Avengers movie).  Kudos to Robyn for spotting this: I completely missed it.
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Yes, there are big battles in plenty and the FX are in line with what you'd expect for a summer blockbuster (even though they cover no new ground).  We didn't see the movie in 3D and didn't feel like we missed anything by seeing it the "old fashioned' way.  Asgard gets a "Sci Fi" makeover (and thus avoid pesky theological questions) that looked OK but didn't thrill me.  I was a bit surprised to see a black Heimdall and one of the "Warriors Three" as an Asian but it worked in context.  Still, if you can get past the contrivances of the script you'll probably have a good time.
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Thor is definitely one step (or more) below the Iron Man movies in quality but at least it has the virtue of a fairly short running time.   The movie had a huge opening weekend but I'll be interested to see what the "drop off" will be next week.  Still, there's enough fun to make Thor worth a look (although you really won't miss a lot if you wait for the DVD (which should be out some time next month).
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FINAL GRADE: B-      

Now That The "Bogey Man" Is Gone...

Since this post is about Osama bin Laden I doubt it surprises anyone I chose one of my "Arabic" fractals.  I picked Squared Arabic 124 because the predominant red color signifies blood (although I would have prefered a red, black and white color palette--but I didn't have one of those).  I chose one of the "Squared" series because now the USA is (at least somewhat) "squared" with al Qida.  Now--on with the commentary.
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Let us all join in a rousing chorus of "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" (Ding Dong OSAMA'S dead!  We put a bullet in his head!  Ding dong we're glad bin Laden's dead...)  Am I happy with it?  Honestly, not really.  I'm glad he's gone and the folk directly involved in the September 11 tragedy finally have some closure.  I hope this will start a positive turn in the war on terror (although I have grave doubts).  Frankly, I fear that the death will further inflame Islamic Fundamentalists and create a new wave of terror.
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Does bin Laden's death signal the end of al Quida?  Don't bet on it: there are plenty of other crazies out there ready and willing to take up where he left off.  And honestly, I worry that the death will push more young Islamic men into terrorist organizations.  I just pray that in this I'm proven wrong.
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There are a couple of things that really disturb me about this story: it turns out that Osama bin Laden wasn't living in a cave on the Pakistan/Afganistan border but had a mansion about a thousand feet from the walls of the Pakistani equivelant of West Point.  And worse--he'd been there for SEVERAL YEARS!  Can you believe that???  How did our "friends" in Pakistan MISS that???  I can't prove it (and I doubt nobody else ever will) but I am--sure as I'm sittin' here--that folks high up in the Paki Military and Inteligence communities knew and didn't bother to share the info.  (If they aren't sharing stuff like that--what else are they keeping from us?)
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I also find it disturbing that "enhanced interrogation techniques" (that's "Torture" in Politically-Correctspeak) were used on Guantanamo Bay "Detainees" to get the info the led to the raid on bin Laden's compound.  One one level I think the "good people" of the USA should hold themselves to a higher standard