Ip Man (2008) - Movie Review

Ip Man (2008) - 7 Octo Arms out of 8!

Ip man is one of the better martial arts movies I have ever seen.  I saw this film based on a recommendation and with no prior knowledge as to what the movie is about.  I only knew I haven’t seen a good martial arts movie in a long time and was craving to see one.  And Ip Man satisfied!

Ip man is loosely based on the life of Yip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art ,Wing Chun, and the real life mentor of Bruce Lee.   We follow Ip Man, who is wonderfully played by Chinese martial artist Donnie Yen (Hero, 2002), through various life events that culminates in pre-World War II China during Japanese occupation.

This modern 2008 film satisfies like a classic, old fashioned martial arts movie.  I also love the Chinese martial arts versus Japanese martial arts sub-theme.  The costumes and settings make it an authentic period piece.  Donnie Yen convincingly portrays the grand-master with calm and charisma.  This movie provides plenty dazzling action sequences without giving up the character driven story line.  7 Octo Arms out of 8!

On Christopher Nolan's John Blake Character...

*SPOILER ALERT* for The Dark Knight Rises movie

So I'm planning to buy 'The Dark Knight Rises' this week at Best Buy because the blu-ray is on sale for $14.99 and I have a $5 gift certificate.

I've been thinking about (and researching) Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character in the film, John Blake.  The name 'John Blake' had never shown up in any of the Batman comic books.  This character is strictly from director, Christopher Nolan.  I failed to notice this as I was watching the movie but John Blake is a combination of at least 3 Robins (Dick Grayson, Jason Todd and Tim Drake) as I learned from fans on the internet.

I really don't mind Joseph Gordon Levitt 'skipping' the costumed Robin phase and going straight into the Batsuit.  And to me, his John Blake character played Robin to Batman the entire time in 'The Dark Knight Rises' - through his actions and even by birth name (as we find out).

In December 2012, news broke that Joseph Gordon Levitt will be John Blake/Batman in the upcoming Justice League movie. I hope this continues to be true.  I thought I would strongly mind not having Bruce Wayne/Batman in the Justice League movie but as Christopher Nolan explains in 'The Dark Knight Rises', Batman is a symbol (so anyone can take up the mantle).  In the comic books, Dick Grayson did put on the Batsuit for a few years.

But the main reason why I would like for Joseph Gordon-Levitt's John Blake/Batman to continue on to the Justice League movie is because I would like the universe that Christopher Nolan created to progress on instead of having another "reboot".  I really don't want to get to know another Bruce Wayne/Batman yet.  What Christopher Nolan had done with the 'Batman' will be effective for the next decade or so. Moving forward with Joseph Gordon-Levitt's John Blake/Batman would set his story in the same universe as the Justice League universe.  Additionally, this will also be the same universe that Henry Cavill's Superman inhabits in the upcoming Man of Steel movie.  

What do you think?

Battleship (2012) Movie Review

Battleship (2012) - 2 Octo Arms out of 8!
The interesting premise that the movie starts off with is limited by the novelty title to the point that the movie becomes simple and ridiculous. The movie aims high by drawing on the "Extinction Level Event" (E.L.E.) global scenario but due to the title, the fate of the world becomes solely hinged on a handful of American battleships (and one Japanese one, thrown in to make the effort feel more international).  Not even our technologically advanced fighter jets get involved - but, of course, a movie with such a title has to provide an explanation that takes them out of the equation ever so simply.  And if the movie does happen to captivate you momentarily, the special effects will quickly snap you back to reality to remind you of the recent Transformers movies.  For reference point, I favor 1996's ID4 over this movie and my 7 year old enjoyed it.  Only 2 Octopus Arms out of 8.

The Woman in Black (2012) Movie Review

The Woman in Black (2012) – 5 Octopus Arms out of 8!

This is a fun, chilling film relying solely on the old fashioned spookiness of ghosts.  It doesn't try to scare you with novelty sound effects or gore.  The drab colorization, vintage setting and costumes all add to the creepiness.  Daniel Radcliffe has a less wordy part in this movie but still manages to keep you engaged with expressive acting.  For reference point, if you liked the 2001 film, 'The Others', starring Nicole Kidman, then you would probably like this one as well.  5 Octopus Arms out of 8!

NYC Blizzard 2013! (??)

2/8/13, 6:55AM - Got to work extra early today.  Walked on bare concrete.  Not one snowflake got on "my nose and eyelashes".  About to go up on the hospital roof to laugh at this alleged "blizzard".

Feb. 8, 7:57AM -  Oh, %#@$!!! It's real.

Feb. 8, 8:02AM - Just saw a snowflake this BIG!  Cut a full sized adult right in half - like a ninja star.

Feb. 8, 11:04AM - My boss told me that I can go home at anytime due to the blizzard.  The irony here is that I'm stuck at work because of the lack of snow.  ::yawn:: @ the blizzard.