randomgerm101

“It’s a good lie.”

Posted on September 19, 2019August 30, 2020 by randomgerm101 in Reviews

A Review of the farewell

This may be the most difficult review I will ever have to write for a movie. Lulu Wang has created art which crosses all thresholds and is relatable to any audience. The Farewell is masterful in dredging up familiar moments. Moments which include the happiness of family gatherings to the horrible, gut-churning acceptance of a reality where cancer may soon take your patriarch.

Its portrayals of the ridiculousness of how families deal with both marriage and death are both different yet recognizable. Even though this family is predominately of Chinese origins, any race or culture can understand and appreciate the events happening on the screen in their own lives. Even the dinner scenes have those similar bickering moments between relatives we’ve all had to be witness to. This is a film whose emotional connection to its audience may be unmatched by any film which has ever come before it (and I do not say this lightly).

The superb casting works hand in hand with the script to create a family unit that comes across as being real and not one haphazardly thrown together to be portrayed on the big screen. I would be very surprised and disappointed if Awkwafina does not garner a Best Actress Oscar Nomination for her portrayal of Billi, the somewhat somber and cynical grandchild of the bubbly and full of life (and also unfortunately cancer) Nai Nai, played by Zhao Shuzhen. The supporting cast also help to carry the burden of Nai Nai’s cancer (as they refuse to tell her as to not scare her to an earlier grave) throughout the film. Their interactions help show every side of a family trying to deal with the ever-looming presence of death including humor, guilt, and heartbreak.

The vulnerability presented in The Farewell is as unnerving as it is beautiful. This along with the ending scene, which is almost a guarantee to elicit the waterworks, is why I am calling this the best film of the year and it is only September. 10/10 long cries. YoungYoda out.

(P.S. This review is purposely short as words are difficult when it comes to the emotional intensity of this film. My suggestion is to go watch it and understand where I’m coming from. Much love.)

Encyclopedia of Super

Posted on September 14, 2019August 30, 2020 by randomgerm101 in Reviews

A Review of Jason Inman’s Super Soldiers

I suppose I should be proud to be the writer of ‘The Nerd Corps’ first book review on this site as I offer up my opinions on Jason Inman’s ‘Super Soldiers’ in this post. As an adult it has grown quite difficult to find time to read as my attention has turned from only school and books to a life full of dog walks, significant other dates, podcast recordings, movie watches and full-blown attention deficit disorder at times. I did my best to read this as quickly as I could and unfortunately that was over the span of a few months. So, to Jason and everyone else, I apologize in the time it took to write this review.

Starting off, let me introduce Jason Inman who you may have heard on the podcast twice as he graciously agreed to talk with myself and Raul for around an hour each time (Episodes 85 and 237 if you want to take a listen). Jason is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, an author of books (duh) and comics (Jupiter Jet, Science!, etc.), and quoting from his website jasoninman.com “a former host of DC All Access and a regular guest on Collider Movie Talk, Geek & Sundry, Collider Heroes, Screen Junkies, SourceFed, and Film HQ…Besides uploading weekly videos on his youtube channel, Jawiin, Jason has hosted his own podcast Geek History Lesson for over five years which was nominated for a Podcast Award”. These two aspects of Jason, that of a veteran and that of the encyclopedia of all things nerd, come into play with his book Super Soldiers which focuses on the comic book heroes and villains who served the United States military.

First, I must comment on the ease of reading I found with this book. Jason has the ability to condense a lot of history of these super powered figures into four to eight pages each. His inclusion of many of the lesser known heroes and villains such as Gravedigger, Isaiah Bradley, and Nuke along with various unfamiliar (to me at least) details of the more popular figures (Captain America, Punisher, etc.) helped keep my attention piqued as each chapter I was exploring the details of someone I didn’t know or finding out more about the heroes I had grown up with. Jason does not shy away from the controversial aspects of each character’s history either but delves right into their history, be it Batwoman’s sexuality during the peak of “don’t ask, don’t tell” or the mistreatment of Gravedigger and Isaiah Bradley due to being black men in a WWII America. Any comic book fan will want to run out and pick up the back issues of many of these character’s comics (I’m personally going to buy up as much of Gravedigger’s “Men of War” as I can find).

On top of all this, Jason includes his own military experiences helping to bridge that gap between comic book lore and reality. From speaking on the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life, just like War Machine, to pranking his sergeant ala Beetle Bailey, he is able to compare and contrast the life of an enlisted soldier with these fictional stories of super powered (and sometimes not so superpowered aka Sgt. Rock) heroes.

This, in my humble opinion, is a must read for all fans of comics and comic book heroes. The amount of information contained within these 218 pages is astounding, so be sure to keep this close at hand when researching who came before Captain America or how Flash Thompson went from bully to hero. As Sir Francis Bacon coined once upon a time, “Knowledge is power” and as Super Soldiers goes, “Knowledge is Super Power”. YoungYoda out.

P.S. be sure to pick up Super Soldiers on Amazon and give a follow to Jason at the following: Twitter & Instagram- @Jawiin; Go listen to his podcast “Geek History Lesson” (@GHLPodcast) wherever you listen to podcasts.

Another Shark Tale…But Different

Posted on September 7, 2019August 30, 2020 by randomgerm101 in Reviews

A Review of ‘bad cgi sharks’

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a fan when it comes to the B-movie genre, especially when it is one which involves sharks. My eyes have been on the receiving end of too many badly acted, directed, and written scripts that have possibly dropped my IQ further than the copious amounts of alcohol I had consumed while day drinking in college. Sharknado to me is almost as bad as the plastic surgeon hired by Tara Reid and if you listened to my comments on “The Nerd Corps” podcast, then you know my disdain of ‘The Meg’, which I refused to watch. If I wanted to see Jason Statham punching and running from a large object, then I would just watch Hobbs and Shaw.

Where many of these movies falter is that they either don’t know they’re a horrible b-movie shark flick, or they do know it but bad acting and heavy-handed action sequences overpower the slight comedy sprinkled in (which, unfortunately, generally comes across as corny). ‘Bad CGI Sharks’ however has decided to flip this and instead of relying on overpriced action sequences, they instead inject a far more comedic approach, relying on the dialogue (comedic not character) and a brotherly love story to be their foundation (they also throw in a magic Italian director who has the power to basically do whatever the f*ck he wants, which is kind of cool and more believable than a payphone existing in 2019).

Through the film, I found myself caring about the brothers and their story. Matthew, being the more serious of the two, is made to deal with his estranged brother Jason who has basically downed 20 redbulls and is set free in Hollywood with his only dream being to make a Shark Movie they had written when they were eleven. The dynamic between their two personalities helped set the tone of the film as both must work together while being chased by floating 3-D monstrosities that continuously fail to render. Because of this, Matthew learns to open up more and have fun while Jason realizes that not everything in life is sunshine and rainbows (just most of everything). The brothers grow closer through each scene as they barely escape the pixelated jaws hunting them.

I must also bring up the infinite entertainment value brought on by the continuous (what I like to call) “under the radar” jokes. Those jokes which on paper probably aren’t seen as funny, but the dry humor and perfect delivery make me belly laugh into oblivion each time (Go watch Talladega Nights for more instances). The best example of this is when Matthew is speaking with his boss, saying how his brother is ruining his life, and catches a glimpse of the self-motivation poster his employer has tacked up behind her. He proceeds then to recite, “I want to learn…grow…and…suck…seed.” Now, many of these jokes are sprinkled throughout the film and their addition is a definite positive for any viewer who has the sense of humor of a prepubescent boy (which means me).

Bad CGI Sharks doesn’t shy away from what it is (hell, it’s the name of the movie) but barrels forward with low quality land?…hover? shark villains pushing our story along with a massive amount of comedic flare and a heart-warming journey. Jason Ellsworth, Matthew Ellsworth, and Matteo Molinari have created something rather unique in a genre filled with the rotting filet-o-fishes of shark movie pasts. Because of this, I’m giving Bad CGI Sharks a solid 8/10 rating. YoungYoda Out.

No Strings Attached

Posted on September 7, 2019August 30, 2020 by randomgerm101 in Reviews

A Review of ‘Free Solo’ (2018)

An imposing visage of vertical granite, El Capitan stands at a dizzying 3,000 feet. One of the most alluring vertical challenges within Yosemite National Park. Since 1905, there have been over thirty recorded fatalities (including experienced climbers). Though many had made it to the summit using equipment and rigging, none had done so free solo or, in simpler terms, without the use of ropes, harnesses, or protective equipment.

This is where “Free Solo,” the National Geographic documentary on the eight (8) year efforts of Alex Honnold to be the first to free solo El Capitan, begins. From the opening shots, the viewer is brought into a story where tension, along with adrenaline, continue to build. Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, along with their crew, bring the audience behind the lens and into their shoes, possibly even more so than in those of Alex’s. With the camera crew being relatively safe from any real danger (thanks to proper training along with the necessary ropes, gear, and protective equipment), they are left with the discomfort and stomach-turning feeling of possibly watching, as well as recording, their friend fall to his death.

With a runtime of an hour and forty minutes, the film chooses in no way, shape, or form to slow down but bombards us with beautiful, anxiety inducing imagery. If this might be a documentary of a man falling to his death, then the counterbalance may be the awe that is Yosemite. The cinematography captured by Jimmy Chin, Clair Popkin, and Mikey Schaefer is almost beautiful enough to make us forget that we might be watching the prequel to someone’s demise.

However, our eyes become fixated on a man who appears to never be satisfied with his accomplishments, even if he succeeds in his next conquest. Continuously chasing that next thrill, he will push himself until he perishes and we are all allowed to ride shotgun in this narrative where the hero’s obsession might just be his undoing. In all honesty, this might be the only documentary to have ever increased my pulse rate.

Normal society would call Alex Honnold’s choices irrational as he willingly puts family and friends as secondaries in his quest for that next perfect climb. Others find him to be a hero and true adventurer, proving the human spirit (along with the human body) can vanquish what was deemed impossible for so long. For this reviewer, I will cling to the comfort of my couch where “Free Solo” receives a deserving 9.5/10. Go watch it while it’s still on Hulu. YoungYoda out.

“The Family” Conspiracy or Corruption?

Posted on August 17, 2019August 30, 2020 by randomgerm101 in Reviews

A REVIEW OF THE NETFLIX MINISERIES

Whether or not you believe in conspiracy theories, Netflix has put together a series that showcases the coming and goings of “The Family,”(also known as The Fellowship and the International Foundation) a secretive, religious sect that has had unfettered access to not only the most powerful in Congress, but to leaders all around the world. Based on the series written by executive producer, Jeff Sharlet, the writer of such novels as C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy and The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, “The Family” is 5 episodes which take the viewer through recruitment of the youth, protection of their political proponents, and how they are affecting the today’s political landscapes all around the world.

Now “The Family,” is not just some new, upstart organization. Oh no, first started in 1935 by Abraham Vereide as more of a church for the elite. Those who possessed some sort of power, be it as Congressman of Alabama or President of Uganda, were recruited in some manner. Doug Coe, continued Vereide’s vision with the slight change of not putting a spotlight onto the organization but keeping their works under wraps which does give the appearance of what some would call “suspicious”. “The Family” appeals that there are no nefarious intentions in their operations and is only there to provide spiritual support through prayer meetings, support groups, and the like.

Jeff Sharlet gives viewers a different interpretation, being that he had actually been recruited in his 20s to become a member and live at their estate in Arlington, VA called Ivanwald. From his experience he allows viewers to see that having powerful friends and using Jesus as more of a prop to get a foot in the door of the influential, versus living according to his teachings, garnered the organization to continually increase it’s influence and have the ability to be in the ear of the decision makers. In Jeff’s opinion, “The Family” is willing to forgive and forget the misdeeds of other if those others are “chosen” by God, no matter the offence. One example given includes the protection of the ex-Senator of Nevada John Ensign whose continued extramarital affair with a staff member’s wife led him to bribe/placate the staff member into silence with a job as a lobbyist. Although the staff member was met with jail time and the loss of any and all credibility due to ethics violations once this arrangement had come to light, John Ensign managed to not face any penalties other than having to resign from his position and fines (after the case had been reopened in 2013). Sharlet gives the presumption that “The Family” acted as the safety net for Senator Ensign, as he was chosen by God to be in his position, while allowing all others caught in his wave of deceit to drown.

It is up to the viewer to determine for themselves if Netflix’s “The Family” is just a conspiracy documentary/dramatization made to sell the books of an ex-member whose interviews include many wronged by the very people he looks to bring out into the public eye…or, is it an expose into a political organization that has used religion as it’s stepping stool in order to place themselves next to the most powerful, be it presidents or dictators, as to sculpt the world how they see fit. In my personal opinion, some imagery throughout this series seems to have an exaggeration placed within, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t do a great job at showing the public another hidden cog that turns the wheel of power in which “We the People” get no say. I give “The Family” an 8 out of 10. – YoungYoda