Roxsy & Me Film

ROXSY & ME IS HERE!!

Loved filming this short fan-made film with Carmela and Christian!
Great story and great acting. I'm in a few scenes. And I helped as both executive producer and as sound engineer. Sounds so fancy! hehe. I am still laughing so hard at some of these scenes. Loved being around my Potent family again. Please watch, like, make nice comments! Hope you enjoy this as much as I do!! I'm so excited to be a part of this amazingly fun film!

PS - here's the link to my post about being on set for this movie and Sugar Skull Girls.
http://geekgirlscastle.blogspot.com/2014/10/theres-no-place-like-home.html

There's No Place Like Home...

...there's no place like home. No, Dorothy, there isn't. For me, that means being on a movie set again, it's definitely like being home. And I've missed it so much.

Recently, I got to help out on a couple of films with a friend of mine who happens to be the Producer of the independent movie company he works for. Potent Media and it's fearless leader, Christian Jude Grillo, is made up of a group of dedicated and amazing men and women just wanting to make great films from start to finish. Potent Media is known for their independent films Apocalypse Kiss, Deer Crossing, and Booley.

And now, their family-friendly film The Sugar Skull Girls. This is the first movie I got to help on. The best way I describe this movie is like Disney's Hocus Pocus. It's fantasy mixed with campy humor and fun times. It has witches and supernatural elements, meant for all-ages. It's going to be so much fun to watch when it is finally done! I've seen some pieces done with all the special effects and music added in and it's just awesome to see what comes out of Christian's creative mind!

I got to help out the last two weekends of shooting, one in June and one in July. The summer heat was exhausting and disgusting, especially for the July shoot. I was told I'd be anything from catering to personal assistant for the celebs, to assistant sound person, etc. Basically a PA. Which I was totally fine with because inside I was screaming "I'M ON A REAL LIVE SET AGAIN!!!" Opportunity of a lifetime for me.

Let me stop for moment for a background check. I majored in TV/Video Production way back when, in college. My career life path didn't take me that way for a full time job. I had a part-time gig at the local TV station but it didn't have a lot to offer after awhile. Like so many of my creative brethren, you do what you can to survive and make a decent wage. So I took on a full-time job as an admin in a big company instead. But I dabbled in the TV field in any way I could in the years that followed, videotaping friend's productions, videotaping friends goofing off, watching a lot of behind-the-scenes documentaries, etc. Anything to keep me in the game. Eventually all those things even dwindled, other than watching those making-of documentaries.

I missed that world so very very much but just couldn't get a handle on getting back into it. So, when opportunity knocked, I opened the door wiiiiide open! Thanks to an "in" from my friend, I talked to his boss, the directer/owner/CEO/everything-man at Potent Media to see how I could help, if at all.

I did have to travel from NYC to Philly area, but it's totally worth it. In every sense of the word. As soon as I got on set at the Mill (an old antique mill not in use served as their set locations... more on that later), I was home. I was with my people. And I was at home with everything going on. The technology of course has changed since I've been in the business -- no more over-the-shoulder big SVHS or even 3-ship cameras which were the THING at the time... Nope, using small digital SLR cameras they get the total film look, that not even those 3-chip Sony's did in the day. Amazing quality and feel to them. Ok ok, back on track... So the tech might have changed, but the theories and how-to's don't change.

When I got there, I was greeted warmly and with open arms by everyone on set, both cast and crew. Slowly I got to know all of them and how I came to be there from NYC of all places. Having to keep explaining my ties with my Producer friend was tiring but I was proud nonetheless.

After we all gathered at the Mill and got acquainted, most of us went over to a local high school to film some key opening shot scenes and sequences. Being on location was even more fun. But of course holds its own challenges. Finding enough outlets to plug in equipment, hiding much of the equipment needed in other areas so it's out of shots and then needing it at the most inopportune moments, running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to remember where you put something, etc. It's mayhem, but the best kind! Hehe I didn't mind running around getting anything anyone needed--food, coffee, gaffers tape, mics, dollys, tripods, etc. I was there to help in any way Christian and crew needed me. I couldn't have felt more alive that day!

For the weekend, I was thrown into sound as an assistant with Chuck. Christian's normal sound guy wasn't able to be there so Chuck and I would helm sound responsibilities. Chuck was awesome as he taught me all the necessary ropes needed. After some mishaps in prepping the mics tho, and laughing a lot about it, we got it all working right.

Chuck is like six feet tall so he held the boom mic 99% of the time and I kept watch on the levels on the Tascam unit and hitting the record button and saying "speed" or "sound rolling". Yay!

One point we needed to be in a small doorway with the boom so I volunteered to be squished in there instead of the six foot man. hehe

Photo courtesy of James Murray

While running sound, I kept my eye on everyone else to see what they were doing and how things worked and how everyone communicated to one another and watched how well Christian's machine worked so cohesively. He really does have it all down pat. Yes, he needs help of course every so often and reminders, but he's got the team into a very well-oiled machine. I was impressed and in awe by it all. Not that I had doubts about his professionalism, but it's just been so long since I've been on a set to see how it all comes together.

Goofing off between takes. Bill Cannon, me, Chuck Maher, Carmela Hayslett Grillo, Dave Stewart.
Photo courtesy of James Murray

Chuck Maher, me after pushing him down the hall on our dolly.
Photo courtesy of James Murray

By midday we finished shooting the high school scenes and headed back to the Mill for lunch break then more shooting at the Mill itself, on their interior built sets.

Food was provided by a neighbor of the Mill that day. She had made homemade chili and cornbread, salad, and chips and things were provided. It was excellent homemade grub for first day of shooting for me.

Oh and forgot to mention, the movie was sponsored by the Tootsie Roll company and local soda brewery Hank's sodas. Brilliant. And wonderful addition to our on-set snacks and drink supplies. Yum! Most the cast and crew were on sugar highs a lot between the sodas and candy - which included Blowpops, Tootsie Rolls and Double Bubble products. (What happened to Tootsie Pops??? anyway...)

Image via Sugar Skull Girls Facebook page

Lunchtime I got to mingle with more of the crew and get to know all of them a little better. I liked that. It really was like a big family. Everyone knew about each others families and kids and many get together outside filming to hang out on weekends and things. So it was genuinely a beautiful, fun experience there.

After lunch wrapped, we went back to work. Filming scenes within the Mill on sets built by the same crew. A teens bedroom, a interior trailer set, and a few green screen sets. It was really neat to explore the sets in detail and see what was put into them in terms of set decorations and how they were constructed. Potent Media uses every dollar wisely. Cheaply built sets don't have to look cheap. And I'm still learning how to be thrifty on the sets from Christian. In my own life, I can be very thrifty but applying that knowledge to a set design, takes some creative know-how. It's amazing what he did with such a low budget, and you'll never know that when you see it on screen. (well, now I've told you hehe)

Besides sound tho, I was also a puppeteer! I got to handle some puppets being used in the film, created by my Producer friend. These will be revealed at a later date so no pics of those yet! :) But trust me, they are evil and ugly little buggers! They were rubbery and slimy and one got painted that morning so it was still technically wet from that, along with having um "slime" on it. I will not disclose what we used to make it slimy... So my hands looked like I killed a smurf by the time I was done with it. But it was so much fun to be a puppeteer for an hour!

Once the day was done, we wrapped filming, put equipment away and said goodbye to everyone til tomorrow. We were all exhausted but happy at the days work. Amazing people.

I got to go to Christian's home that night for some dinner and to look at the footage shot that day. See what Christian sees. How he wants to edit it together, what special effects might be added, sound cues and sound effects... Amazing how his creative brain works. I could envision it all as he unfurled each scene. He discussed shots themselves, any problems he might see- ie soft focus problems, sound issues, things like that. And then making a mental note if anything had to be reshot. Which you never want to do unless really absolutely necessary. But it was good learning experience to see how he puts it altogether.  And it was really lovely of him to have basically a stranger come into his home on the first day of shooting.

Second day of shooting was at the Mill only. So using those sets, we shot whatever was needed. It was a long day but wonderful to be there and doing what I love to do with others who love it just as much as me.

We wrapped that day with a birthday celebration for my Producer friend. I made him an Atari cake because it's one of his most favorite things in the world. :) It was just the crew for that. It was fun surprising my friend and the look on his face when he saw what was happening was awesome! hehe

July couldn't come fast enough to get down there and film again. This time I'd be there for the whole 5-day shoot and not just the weekend. I was psyched! I did sound again most the time. And both weekends when I was not a PA or doing sound, I was running around getting anything done that I could help with--food,  moving equipment around, closing windows, etc. Life of a PA doesn't sound glamorous but it's still important as a team player. I'm more than happy and grateful to do it.

I was also a script supervisor and continuity person for a couple days while his usual guy was away. That was intense and kept me on my toes. Having to remember which scenes we were shooting the whole day, each moment and how the shots were supposed to be set up. Very cool but definitely intense. Then making sure each shot done was in continuity with the last one or the one it will lead into or follow that we've possibly shot already.

We shot for five days straight. A couple days indoors on set and then the rest were outdoor shoots. And man, that weekend was the most humid and hottest days of 2014 summer time--close to 100 degrees all the days plus 90% humidity. It was so disgusting. It was pretty brutal on everyone shooting those days. Crew member Wil Sachs made sure to keep us cool by fanning us with the light reflectors and a couple of us had portable mini fans to use on the actors who were in very heavy costumes. But we made it through. Got some amazing footage and everything was in the can and wrapped by day 5.


It was just so much fun filming all the scenes despite the horrid weather. For me, learning what everyone does, getting to know the crew and cast of teen girls and their families on set, is something you can't replicate. I loved meeting all of them. Many are now real life friends outside of the filming. And I try to see the crew at least, as often as I can get to the area...Amazing, talented people worked so hard on this. I'm so proud to be a part of it.

One of the pumpkin soldier's rides

Scott Kaufman, Dave Stewart, and Christian Grillo setting up a shot.

Setting up the shots

Carmela Hayslett Grillo, Chuck Maher between takes.

Cece Hagen getting her makeup applied.

Leslie Easterbrook, Carmela Hayslett Grillo

Addy Miller getting her makeup applied

copter shots

Julie Ryan, Addy Miller, Cece Hagen, me, Anika Buchanan, Isabella Sobejano

Leslie Easterbrook, me, John Amplas

Anika Buchanan

Isabella Sobejano

Addy Miller

Carmela, Pumpkin Soldier

That's a wrap!

The second film, a short film really, is from Christian's wife Carmela Hayslett Grillo. She was a horror host in a web series for three years, Roxsy Tyler'sCarnival of Horros. But as an actress she of course, wanted to continue growing and pursue different venues of acting. So the web series went on hiatus. Well, now Carmela was ready to put a true ending to the series by making a short film.

Image courtesy of Roxsy Tyler Facebook page

It's a small cast and therefore, a much smaller crew then feature film sets. I was needed only one weekend where I'd do double duty and be an extra for one of the scenes as well as do sound for them.

The scene called for fans of Roxy and her cohost, Count Chuckula to be outside of her Carnival set and chase after them and such. It was great fun. Since I knew everyone would be fans of Roxy, the main character, I decided to be different and be a fan of Chuck's instead. (Yes, the same Chuck who taught me sound on the Sugar Skull Girls set). So I made a sign that said "Bite me" cuz he's a vampire, duh.

And when Carmela saw that, she gave me some acting/stage direction on how to play this up more. So we worked on that on the fly and it was sooo much fun chasing after Chuck! We tried to have me jump him but running in grass, heels and with twenty other people clamoring over you, does not lend itself well to jumping on someone's back. So we modified it. I hope it still translated well on screen and am eager to see how they used the footage, if at all. ETA: I'm in the trailer a few times actually, so I guess that worked out well. Also, I have another acting credit to my name now, as a featured extra. Sweet! It was fun to actually "act" in something professional for once. And fun to collaborate something specific for the scene.



Other times that day, I was as usual, sound person. This time with their special effects guru, David Gechman. He's about as tall as I am (we're both around the 5' range) so both of us trying to do the boom mic was kinda hilarious. Where's 6' Chuck? oh right, he's IN the sccene. hahaha But the short people prevailed!

After the fan scenes were shot, Chris and Carmela had a big ol' bbq in their backyard. It was so lovely and fun and amazing yummy food. I, as usual, made dessert. I made nutella palmeiris. So delicious and easy to make! And they definitely went fast and furious! I loved meeting all of their friends who participated in the fan scenes. So much fun connecting with them over good food.

Sunday was much the same, though quieter. It was just me for audio and Martini for video with Chris. Chuck would help whenever he wasn't needed *in*a scene, of course. Martini helped hold the boom on the last scene of the day because it really needed to be higher than my short stature could hold and Chuck was in the scene. So I was able to hit record on his cameras once he set up the stable shot while he did audio instead. Team effort! We really all work so well together.

All too soon, it was over. Carmela had one more weekend to film, well really one more day the following weekend. It was only going to be a four hour shoot though, so it wasn't worth it for me to come down again. But no matter, I still had an amazing learning experience and time with my Potent Media family filming and hanging out after shooting. Professionals to the core but so much fun when the lights dim.Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me these fabulous opportunities! Until the next shoot when I'm back in Oz again...

Guardians of the Galaxy!!!! GROOOOT!!!!

Ok so Monday night I got to see Guardians of the Galaxy, courtsey of a Skype event at the Flatiron building area. They had a little dance video you had to create and post online somewhere and then post the picture of you with the movie poster behind you, pretending you were the sixth guardian. And in that photo you posted, and adding Guardians as a skype comtact, you had to come up with a sixth Guardian name. I came up with Missy the Massacre, because I like alliteration... hehe

Not the best picture with the wind blowing my hair in my face...

At the skype event, I got a sketch from Sean Chen. who illustrated Nova, Iron Man and other such comics. And I found out he worked at Valiant for many years so he actually is friends with my ex-hubby. (whom also worked at valiant for awhile). Sean was uber sweet. Took his time to talk to you and get to know you a bit while sitting there. We talked about my new love of comics and how I only read Lenore from Dirge since I was about 14 and then how only in the last few years I've come into my own, reading more mainstream comics from Marvel, DC, IDW, etc. Talked about women reading comics now and how I got started from meeting other women not ashamed of reading comics and how I branched out knowing these women read comics, too. It was a lovely conversation with Sean.

Sean Chen's Rocket Racoon sketch for me.

Me and Sean Chen

For posting the video, picture and adding GOTG to Skype contacts, we got some cool swag. Some GOTG buttons and roll of stickers packaged in a box that looked like a cassette tape. Yay so cool! And of course a GOTG t-shirt and poster. We also got a Skype seat cushion and a Skype drawstring bag to hold all the goodies in. Fun!

To wait for contest winners call-time, my friends and I then went to dinner and caught up with each other. Then went back to the event to see if we won, via Skype app, tickets to the screening that was happening at 11pm. 9pm was when folks were supposed to start getting notified... we waited... and watied. Eventually I got the message first, around 9:30pm! But I had won! Yay! We waited around some more, knowing it was all being sent manually to each person. Also, we were told if we didn't win, to wait around anyway just in case they had extra tickets. Sure enough, Nate won tickets, so now all three of us could go, and Jon's other friend, Jessica, who was with us earlier, could also go :) Fun!

Eventually we split up so Nate and I could get a spot on line, but Jon and Jess beat us to it. (Subways suck...) Found out Jon got his ticket as well. so now Nate and I still had +1's but no way was any of our friends going to get there in time. So oh well.

The movie was at 11pm. But there was some fiasco with the film or the projector or even the room itself (like not finding the key to the projector room). so the movie started very late - at like midnight... And because of that either you could leave and get another voucher for wed with a +1 guest or wait it out. Nate has no work so he waited. Jon and Jess left because of work the next day and train schedules home. I figured I'd wait a lil longer and sure enough about 15 min later it started. But we also got a free voucher at the end of the night, for another regal movie anytime, to make up for inconvenience, so that was nice. (Just one voucher tho but hey, its something, thanks Regal!)

Ok, onto the movie review - NO SPOILERS!!!!

Guardians of the Galaxy was just as amazing as the commercials led it on to be. Highly recommend and I want to see it again and again. OMG SO GOOOD!!!!!! GROOOT!!!!! So many good action sequences, great character development and some history of course behind it, lots of really funny moments thrown in a lot, especially from Quill and Rocket. Very accurate in that sense. I loved Rocket and Groot (who doesn't?!) Their banter was fantastic. And Karen Gillan. Whoa! Awesome villian!!!! Holy hell she brings it to every scene!!! squeee!!!! She was really amazing as Nebula! Incredible performance. And this is from a girl who didn't much like Amy Pond's character on Doctor Who, but it's how she was written more than telling of her acting abilities. I know she can act because of that role, but it wasn't one I liked much. This, though, this was fantastic! She really was just incredible as Nebula! Sidenote: in the prison scene (no spoilers, I swear) look up in the rafters, when they show the other prisoners, you'll see Lloyd Kaufman. If you don't know who he is, we can't be friends anymore haha -- seriously go watch some Troma movies (ie Toxic Avenger) or even Rocky...

Anyway, I loved the play on each character, the build-up's of each one, their history and then how they eventually come together. I have not read the comics for this so I can't compare accuracy but it all flowed well for the movie. And my comic geeks haven't said a peep about how or if they changed things around (in bad ways) so I think that says a lot too, that it must be pretty close to the comics history if they haven't said otherwise. (You know us geeks like to compare and rip thing apart so if that doesn't happen as the movies credits roll, you know it's gotta be good...)

Of course some recurring characters from Avengers end scenes were there, Thanos and the Collector from Thor: The Dark World. So it was nice to see that storyline continue, as we knew it would.

There's a lot of heart in the movie too, where you don't think it would normally fit into a comic book film such as this, but it really blends well. The writers really did a good job of blending everything well. Nothing really felt too rushed or too forced.

This is just such a fun, fun awesome movie!! Go see Guardians of the Galaxy!!!!!

Oh, and in terms of toys, again no spoilers, something at the end of the movie, they better make a toy of because I was squeeing like a 5 year old in my seat. Everyone, but especially girls will want this thing to be made into a toy!!! When you see it, you'll know exactly what I was talking about...

Note that our version didn't have an after-credits scene. Not sure if it will have one like they did with Avengers, where all the screeners didn't have one yet, but for opening day they got one into the film (shwarma eating scene) at the last minute. There was only the one scene right before the main credits start rolling for our screening. So no matter when you go, stay anyway just in case... (not that I need to tell my friends/fans that though...)

Apocalypse Kiss Review

Apocalypse Kiss is a sci-fi thriller much like Blade Runner only this time I could follow along. (Tho to be fair it's been years since I've seen Blade Runner now). With a murder mystery under foot and an apocalypse at its heels, Apocalypse Kiss is set in that futuristic sci-fi world with colorful video screens and oddities at every corner, strange people in every seedy setting... It's pretty cool.

The synopsis of the movie, taken from the Potent Media website:

In this futuristic science fiction thriller, government security agent Jerry Hipple has been unsuccessfully tracking the city's most infamous criminal The Red Harvest Killer. When two nomadic lovers, Katia and Gladys enter the city the death count rises and are being credited as Red Harvest killings. Obsessive compulsive Adrian, the actual Red Harvest Killer becomes furious that the sexy serial killing duo are grabbing media attention under his alias. Not only does Adrian attempt to reclaim his rightful reputation but he also decides to cleverly aid his detective counterpart through the case. All the while, killers and victims alike are unaware the world is about to reach an abrupt catastrophic ending.

Katia, played by Carmela Hayslett, is brilliant in one of the lead female roles. So diverse and playing a triple threat comes across so easily on screen. Gladys, played by Tammy Jean, was pretty effortless as a blonde bombshell who follows Kat around and who sometimes gets her hands dirty in order to survive.
The Red Harvest Killer, Adrian, played by D.C. Douglas, is pretty convincing as a crazy psychopath killer on the loose. He plays his role with some satire but it comes across wonderfully for this film.
Tom Detrik plays the detective trying to figure out whodunnit. I loved him as the noir Dick Tracy type with a sad backstory. I enjoyed his character a lot. I would love to have more on him. But he wasn't the focus of the film of course. I usually identify with the person who's trying to figure out the murder mystery, though.

The story was great. Writer and director Christian Grillo did an amazing job at the storyline and cinematography. The only gripe I have is that the apocalypse part within the story, never came across well. (And this is not a spoiler because it's in the title of the movie...) It was embedded in the middle of the film, or almost at the end really, in a one-liner from the Wizard character and it was easy to miss. I missed it the first time around, only to have it pointed out to me by my friend who watched it with me. And when the apocalypse starts being discussed as a plotline to the audience, it was like suddenly watching another movie, but only for a few minutes as its near the very end of the film. It was very abrupt and you almost felt like you didn't need it anymore as any plot device since it didn't add much else, other than wrapping up everyone's story in one big chunk. It was never a part of any of the characters lives within the rest of the film, except at that very end moment... So I'm not sure it was needed perse.

Other than that, the murder mystery was fun to follow and see the characters interact with one another. I liked how things had a slight twist to them. Tho I could see a lot of plot twists coming.

The amount of special effects for this low-budget film is pretty astounding. I was surprised how much special effects were actually used and utilized to great execution without it looking cheesy at all! It was pretty seamless with the rest of the film. From the technicolor Wizard's monitors and the creepy girls he had on screens, to the elevator doors opening/scanning and the scanning of the east sector, all blended in well with both the story and scenery.

I will say the soundtrack is pretty amazing. Totally helps tell the story and I can see myself getting a soundtrack to it if it were available. It definitely has the sci-fi gritty tone to it that the film needs. None of the songs are out of place or sound too pretty for the film.

And the end song, for the apocalypse is quite beautiful, if in a most haunting kind of way. The credits show vocals are done by Deb Portalatin. And she has an amazing deep dark voice that was perfect for those last minutes on Earth. And during her song, the montage they play of each characters last few moments on Earth, is done beautifully. I could listen to this song on repeat for a good few hours if not more...

I highly recommend watching this movie. It definitely doesn't feel or sound like an independent film or a low-budget film. It never comes across as hokey or anything. The camera angles are artsy and fantastic. The quality of both video and audio are amazing for the budget they had. Only in one part when everyone is yelling, can you hear the sound warble a bit. But it's minor. And I'm an A/V girl so I happened to notice. But really, go out and get this film however you can. It's pretty amazing. It's out on DVD at Amazon and on-demand from major cable companies. I will say it took awhile for me to find via my RCN on-demand but eventually I found it. I am currently waiting on my DVD from Amazon to arrive to watch it a few more times.

Oh and one disclaimer, there is full frontal male nudity which I was not expecting. I knew I'd see naked women based on the trailers alone, but not one of the males. So, fair warning haha.

I would also watch this video after you see the film. Love behind-the-scenes videos and this one is great. Some really good interviews with Chris Grillo and the cast and crew behind Apocalypse Kiss on how it was made on such a low-budget but never looking hokey. Enjoy!

This movie was produced by my friend, John Kent, but by no means was this review solicited by him or anyone at Potent Media and it is written with all opinions as my own.

Sugar Skull Girls Indigogo Porject by Potent Media

A dear friend of mine, John Kent, has a new film coming out soon from his film company, Potent Media called "Sugar Skull Girls". It's their first family-oriented film they are making. Exciting!

Please click and donate if you can. It's going to be a fun project to watch when it's all done!

And if you haven't already, please also pre-order Potent Media's movie "Apocalypse Kiss" now from Amazon, due April 8th. Think sci-fi action thriller like Blade Runner. Can't wait to watch this one, too!

For the Love of the Film

This was a small fan-made film that was made in 2005 by Barry Curtis. It actually won the George Lucas Selects award at the 2005 Star Wars Celebration. That was amazing to be a part of it! I am theatre patron #2, dead Aunt Beru and a stormtrooper. Yes, I am wearing my Jedi Academy sweatshirt.

I recall getting driven to upstate NY somewhere, in the middle of winter so it was chilly, from the city and spending the day at the high school to film this. Lots of down time but plenty of food, fun and clowning around behind the scenes. Lots of technical talk about who says what and how, and even where that character sat in the film. I remember eating a lot of swedish fish during the beginning shots, in the exact same way each take, for continuity purposes. Hey, I'm a professional! hehe Mostly tho, I recall how much fun is was to film and be a part of it! Thanks Barry! 

Enjoy the film!

Snikt! Wolverine Arrives!

Got to see a pre-screening of Wolverine, thanks to AMC and their fan event. Hugh Jackman was there to walk the "red" carpet and take pics and autographs with fans before the movie screenings. Love! <3

I stupidly didn't ask for a photo due to what I thought was a time constraint but people after me on the sidelines did it, as well as my friends who were also there but in a different area. But I got Hugh's autograph!

Hard to see but Hugh Jackman's autograph is on his stomach.

All the swag! tee, foam claws!!!, lanyard and my printout that I got autographed.

Back of the lanyard is awesome. Bub

 As part of the $25 screening fee, you got free concessions (popcorn, soda/water, candy) and the chance to win some Blu-ray's autographed by Hugh. I didn't win the raffles for the blu-ray's but being in the presence of Hugh was lovely enough!

After the hoopla we got to see the Wolverine movie.

And let me tell you, it was amazing. Other than the plot about taking away Wolverine's powers, it was pretty much what I expect from a Wolverine movie to be - action-packed, kickss women, some heart/romance, and full of Hugh Jackman who commands the role of Wolverine. The U.S. trailers skew what the story is really about. So I was happy that I liked the film and my true expectations were filled.

The U.S. trailers show you the action-packed hero movie that it isn't. Whereas Japanese trailers give them a sense of the Asian culture, the love story, the heart behind Wolverine and some action. Very different views. Wolverine is set in Japan so it makes sense that Japan would show a different side of the story. The real story. Not just Hugh without his shirt on and losing his powers. (More on that in a moment). Japan shows what the movie truly is about, tradition and honor. Something every Asian I know, including myself, understands and is born with, even if you never lived in an Asian country.

And yes, this movie is titled Wolverine, but we find out more about the other characters than we do about Wolverine in this film. But it works. The women are so bad-ass. At first one of the main characters seems to be meek, Mariko, played by Tao Okamoto. But living in a house with Japanese warriors, we soon see that she is not the weak or meek woman we thought she would be. She knows martial arts and how to use it. Yes, she gets tripped up a little here and there and still needs to be "rescued" by Logan but ok fine, small plot hole. The fact that she can temporarily hold her own, is fantastic.

The main woman character, Yukio, played by Rila Fukushima, plays her part beautifully. She's a warrior, a sister, a humanitarian full of honor and devotion. And of course, can kick butt! She's trained in the martial arts and can take care of herself. She even saves Logan a few times.

Wolverine losing his powers, is in itself, a falsity. It's explained that his powers get suppressed not taken away completely, which the trailers make you believe. This I can believe a little more than the cop-out of taking away his powers completely. Tho I still don't totally agree with the notion in the first place... And there are reasons for taking his power away or wanting to, again, the trailers give you a false sense of that. There's no reason in the trailers -- they make it seem like well, Wolvie is sick of not dying so here's my offer. But the movie is so much more than that and gives so much more reasoning behind trying to take his powers away. It's not a selfish thing for Wolverine. He's just the puppet.

The scientist, Viper played by Svetlana Khodchenkov, in the movie reminds me too much of Uma Thurman and her version of Poison Ivy. I don't think it fit well here. Even her outfits were very much reminiscent of Poison Ivy. Wrong universe! But I digress. I know the character of Viper played a decent role in the comics though I'm not sure to what extent as I never read those.

The one thing that really bugged me, was Jean Grey. Her "ghost" kept coming back and it was just annoying after awhile. I get the metaphors but I don't think it was really necessary or that much of her presence was necessary.

The traditions, honor and respect come into play a lot having been set in Japan. As an Asian person, I appreciated the film that much more for keeping that as part of the story and history. A few lines were more metaphoric but others were more literal. An example (non-spoilery), Logan puts his chopsticks standing straight up in his bowl of rice. He is immediately reprimanded for doing so because in any Asian culture (not just Japanese), it is bad luck or a bad omen as explained in the movie. It is what we do for funerals and shrines - it looks like the incense we burn to honor our ancestors. There is a metaphor that Mariko explains to Logan within the context of the story,  but it is a tradition and respect to not make this gesture.

The respect the women have for the men in the movie is rich and deep as well. Not subservient perse, you must understand there is a difference. And the women do stand up for themselves from the men once in awhile. Respect for the family and the traditions of the country are steeped in the film. The respect they have for the land and its people is seen throughout the film, in a funeral scene, in the martial arts and choreography, the wardrobe, the interior sets... It's all there.

In the the film, it's almost as if Wolverine is secondary in the film. Yes, he is the main character of course, but it's between him, Mariko and Yukio that the plot really unravels and Logan becomes a side character almost. Again, it works though. You'll have to trust me on that... But it's a great mystery for a plot. I enjoyed the ride.

The bullet train fight scene is so different I loved it. You think it will just be another top-of-the-train-fight-scene but it's not. Because it's a bullet train going 200 miles an hour, the choreography of it, s stunning and brilliant!

I think other than the minor plot hole of trying to take away Wolverine's power, the movie really was great. It really help up with all the action, the love stories, the strong females, the twists and turns of the plot... I definitely give this three claws up!

Giant Robots, Kaiju and Humans. Oh My!

Giant robots and Kaiju!

Let me tell you, I went into this movie thinking it was going to be another Cloverfield. Not that that movie was terrible or anything but it's not my kind of movie. I'm not into alien takeover movies or apocalyptic movies where humans are the ones to suffer and ultimately die.

I hadn't watched many trailers - maybe none even save a few that were on my tv while watching other programs, to which I still ignored anyway. So I totally and completely did not know or chose not to know, that Guillermo Del Toro directed the film and co-wrote it with Travis Beacham. Had I known, I would have gone in with a completely different attitude. But as it was, I'm kind of glad I went in not knowing that. I had far more surprises and added suspense thanks to my ignorance.

Actors Del Toro always uses, show up in the film which is fantastic! And I cheered when I saw one person in particular! (You can probably guess who, he does show up in trailers tho again, I'm ignorant to that fact). And he's just as brilliant as ever without much makeup or prosthetics wooo! He played his role perfectly.

The reality of the movie is really good. The first 10-15 minutes of the film is basically a recap of what's been happening to the world at large with these kaiju. So you don't spend an hour of the film bored or saying "when is the action going to happen?" or "when does this movie really start?" You get into the nitty-gritty very early on and characters are established early on. So it makes a cohesive storyline mixed with enough action, sci-fi and adventure in the entire movie. It really is a continuous, easy to follow film with tons of excellent special effects and visually stunning scenes.

My companion that night said whenever she looked over at me, I was pretty wide-eyed and mouth agape at the scenes! HA! Which is pretty accurate. I really was amazed at the visuals Del Toro put out there.

His characters and their choices made sense. His story telling is always pretty brilliant. And he fulfills that void that most movies these days lack. He has every element of a good film in one film. 

And he does NOT make this into a love story either. I was very proud that Del Toro took the characters and made them individuals who become a team. But not in any sexual way and no fulfillment of sexual tension or even one kiss scene! I was surprised but praise Del Toro for that. He made this a humanitarian movie without needing a sex object. The main female lead Mako, played by Rinko Kikuchi is her own person. With her own baggage and emotions. Yes, she seems to fancy the male lead Raleigh Becket za bit, played by Charlie Hunnam but Del Toro never plays her as the sex object. They are partners and can be friends without a nude scene, without a kissing scene, without a gratuitous undressing scene (looking at you Star Trek!) She truly is an intelligent human being who happens to have a male partner and works well with him on an intelligent level. A few times I found she looked kind of pouty though. That would be my only gripe about either the actress or the character.

I will say his kaiju do look a lot like the hellhounds did in Hellboy. Very much that same muddy grey, four-legged squishy buddha beasts with lots of eyes and same screechy roars. Del Toro likes the same creatures. Tho there are some variations in the heads of these kaiju but I can't tell you why without spoiling the plot.

And I will say that one of the scientist characters, played by Charlie Day, just kept feeling like a smarter Rick Moranis in Ghostbusters. Are you the keymaster? I've never seen this actor before so I can't say anything about his acting but my companion said this was his role - that this is the kind of eccentric, spastic roles he tends to play. I didn't like his character much I guess. But ok then! One of his scenes didn't make much sense or wasn't really followed up on. But I think that's more Del Toro then the actor/acting.

Idris Elba is fantastic. I never really watched any of his movies either, tho he is a hot commodity these days. The only thing I can recall him in was Thor as Heimdall which isn't a big role. But he was pretty good in this movie. The military guy in charge with some baggage that unfolds later in the film.

Del Toro made all the right choices in this film. From the story, to the visuals, to the effects, to the casting, to the non-love-love story. I loved it! I am glad I actually got to go to two screenings of this! I would gladly pay money to see it again though! It definitely holds up even after two viewings.

Oh and stay til mid-credits as there is something there. Nothing at the end though. Teehee!

Man Of Steel Review *Might contain Spoilers*

Where do I even begin? Man of Steel was not a great film to me. I wanted to like it much more but I just didn't.

The one main thing I loved, was Lois Lane. She was the intelligent, bold, caring and daring journalist and woman you wanted to see on screen for once. Not a quimbling, bumbling idiot who only wanted to get into Superman's undies.

I am not totally sold on Amy Adams perse, who plays the almost-fearless Lois Lane. She is stereotyped into playing the damsel in distress or princess role. So seeing her play this was a bold choice and she did well for what she was given. There was still something missing in her performance though and I can't quite put my finger on it.

I did see some good nods to people like Pete Ross, Lana Lang and even Lexcorp. Laurence Fishbourne plays Perry White pretty on-par with what we have seen and know about White.

Henry Cavill really does nail the look and for the most part, personality of Superman and Clark Kent. He looks the part, much the way Brandon Routh did in Superman Returns. He played the angst when needed, which is most of the film, and he played the much-needed Superman just as easily.

The problem though is how Clark/Superman was written. I think for the most part, Clark was written as we all know Clark to be- sweet, understanding, loving and an honorable man. Though he was written to be what seemed to be much more angsty than usual. It wasn't as bad as watching a teenager brood the entire film, it never crossed that line, but it could have easily if gone a different way. But we see Clark being a loner with fake identities for what feels like the first forty minutes of the film. It's dragged on too long and seems like a worthless payoff for when Lois tries to find out about him.

Lois does try to find out about Clark early on and finds out way more about him than in previous incarnations of movies, tv shows and cartoons. Basically she finds out where Clark came from pretty early in the film and then knows who Superman is the rest of the film. This is definitely different then other media we've seen about their history together.

The beginning of the film starts with us on Krypton. It's an alien planet to us and it definitely felt like someone watched the movie Alien while designing the ships, Krypton and all the tech Krypton has. Everything was slick, black, moved organically and had a lot of blue lights. The implosion of the planet is already happening. Jor-El is trying to consult with the counsel to inform them of their poor decisions. He eventually is pleading to let him send off their son to some outer reaches of the galaxy when he is interrupted by General Zod who plans to take over. Drunk with power, Zod and Jor-El fight inside Jor-El's home as Lara is trying to send Kal-El off the planet. Pet peeve here, they changed the deaths of Jor and Lara. They do not die in each others arms like they should have. I was very disappointed in that history change.

Zod and his rebel gang are captured and sent to the phantom zone - which in this film, reminded me of Star Trek 2009 film when the Romulen's octopus-like ship goes through the wormhole. That's almost exactly what this scene looked like.

Much of the film is done in a lot of flashbacks. They lingered too much on each flashback. It made the storyline and movie slow. Along with the flashbacks were all the draggy angst scenes of each lonely job Clark had as he ran away from himself.

I realized later that the whole film was really about the fathers. Jor-El's fight with Zod, Pa Kent's teachings toward Clark. How each lived and died and the lessons they left behind. They changed Jonathan Kent's death to be something that technically Clark could have saved him vs a heart attack that Clark honestly could not have prevented or helped with much. And that felt really wrong.

In keeping with the fathers-movie theme, we see that Clark or Kal-El is really just being motivated to fight Zod because of Jor-El. Its as if Kal-El is just a pawn in Jor-El's quest to bring down Zod, even though Jor-El is technically dead. Another point, instead of just being a guiding factor or a normal hologram, Jor-El is trapped in a Kryptonian hard-drive and once used wherever this "hard-drive" fits, he becomes his own sentient being. Not just an educational hologram like we saw in the original films with Reeves or like we see he is in the Smallville show (at least in the beginning of that show). So it was odd to see him keep popping up so much and driving the plot towards its end.

My friend made me realize the kryptonite used in the film was the atmosphere. Since they couldn't actually use kryptonite, the atmosphere on earth or on Zod's ship became Superman's weakness. This was lame and lazy to me. Although, yes I like that it was a different weakness for Superman, in some ways I'd have preferred the usual green piece of kryptonite to be used...

There were plenty of moments I kept thinking it was like Nolan's Batman reboots if only that it's-not-a-Batman-movie-without-Batman concept. I felt like there wasn't as much Superman in this. Even tho the second half of the film is Superman fighting Zod, I didn't feel like it was something Superman would have done or that it didn't feel like Superman in general. There was a LOT of fight scenes and like Transformers, it was up close and personal and I could barely follow along with them because they were so fast and furious and close to the camera. Even through the slow, quiet angst scenes, Snyder did not have a steadycam or turned off the steady in steadycam. All the shots were shaky and moving and it made me annoyed at having to watch those scenes. Side note- most of the film was so loud I was holding one ear closed the entire movie.

The ending fight with Zod is kind of a shocker. The whole theatre cheered when it happened vs me and my friend groaning and were totally disappointed in how they handled it. But we were slightly relieved with Kal-El's reaction to it but only slightly. It just wasn't something I thought Superman would have done, ever. EVER! But Superman's reaction to what he did, still wasn't enough to uphold the horror. And I think it was a cheap escape in a way. Superman was forced to do what he did, thankfully it wasn't by choice or his first choice but at the same time it was too quick. Especially for the build-up of all the many many many! fight scenes that led up to it. So I felt cheated by what happened and how it ended.

Any and all humorous moments are lost. Every joke or pop culture phrase they tried to use, came off forced and not funny at all. They were all cringe-worthy. It was bad writing.

Editing to add the concept of Superman as Jesus or God. I cannot deal with this any longer. Both Superman Returns and this one both use the concept of him as a God. I get that he's different and he will be our "savior" but that is implied already by his humanitarian efforts. We do not need to see anymore effigies to this. And I don't believe Jor-El in old comics and such, (tho one can correct me if you'd like) ever once said that Kal-El will be a God to humans. He actually says that in this movie!! No! Bad Jor-El! And then later in the film, when Jor-El is guiding him to save earth, Superman exits the ship in a very Jesus-on-the-cross manner with his arms out and his one leg up slightly and flies outward backwards with the light behind him. NO! Bad Zach Snyder! Bad! Ugh! This was so blatent and it really annoyed me to see this depiction again. Also, we all know Superman was made my Jewish people right?? Ok enough religion... Sigh.

I was a bit annoyed at how the entire film was about Zod and Jor-El basically. Yes, I'm glad they picked a different villian than Luthor who could have been a tv show, oh wait it was, Smallville... So I'm glad they picked someone else but this movie was too long to be just about Zod too.

To me, the film's focus was turned around -- we are learning his origin in the entire film and it's about Jor-El and Zod instead of being about Superman helping to save the Earth. In this case, the earth is just collateral damage and not a one-off save the earth film. Superman is not an established superhero yet. He needs help to become that. He is not mutually loved by the public yet. And that's different. In past shows or films he is already Clark Kent, the bumbling journalist at the Daily Planet by day and Superman by night. In this he's nobody yet. He's barely even a Clark Kent yet. So it was interesting twist to see if from this perspective but I don't know if it really worked.

Clearly, I did not really like this movie even though I really wanted to. It had so much potential but fell short. I know Superman Returns also fell short but maybe if they took a little from column A and a little from column B, both could have been better films or one big film that would have matched expectations and a better combined movie overall.

Note -- If you post comments, please try not to post any spoilers. Thank you.

Editing to add again: 
I keep  forgetting things to add to this huge list of stuff I didn't like, so I apologize for all the add-ins.
But I really disliked how Superman didn't try to save any civilians. Yes, I know he saved the earth but at what cost? How many millions died in the rubbles of the small Smallville street or in Metropolis where buildings collapsed!! In none of those scenes did Snyder decide to put in sequences of Superman saving civilians or trying to! Superman saves people!!!! and in turn, will save the planet. and in turn, will defeat the bad guys. But that didn't happen at all in this movie! wha?!? ok wrap your head around that.
And overall -- this was a sci-fi movie more than a fantasy superhero movie. That bothered me. As you can see from my idea about the Kryptonian ships looking like something out of the movie Alien.
I also realized there isn't so much a Fortress of Solitude like there should have been. Much like the no-kryptonite to hurt Kal-El thing, there was no true Fortress built. I suppose one could argue that where the ship was, was the Fortress. But it was either too subtle or just not enough to convince me of that.

Benedict Cumberbatch at New York Star Trek Premiere

So a friend/coworker of mine and I went to check out the celebs at the Star Trek premiere on May 14th. We got into a penned in area but the tent over the red carpet was up thanks to the on and off again rain that day. So we didn't think we'd get much footage having to look into a plastic sheet wall and then over press and photographers heads that would be between us and the celebs. It was also getting later and later, closer to the time the film was supposed to start and no one had bothered to show up yet. Those L.A. types. hehe

Due to some health complications as well from me, we decided to just go get food first. Maybe afterwards, the cast would come out and sign. So having a lovely time at dinner and sitting was good for us, we then left the diner around 9pm. My friend said it was getting late and she had to go a longer ways home so we departed.

On the way to my subway though, I decided to stop and see if anyone was waiting. Yes, yes they were. But it was a much more manageable crowd than earlier and a smaller area to wait in. It now look more like after seeing a broadway show where you meet the cast afterwards.

So I decided to stick it out and wait. I ended up waiting longer than I had anticipated but it was worth it to be a foot away from the wonderful and handsome Mr. Benedict Cumberbatch. I didn't have anything with me to get signed but when he came out he was mobbed with requests for pics and autographs. Thank goodness for barricades though! Some of the younger, 20-something ladies in the crowd were a bit ruthless. And since I'm short, everyone always puts their items they want signed over my head. I'm used to that. 

Because of the more ruthless fans, I couldn't get close to the barricade, I was about 4 people back. And therefore, couldn't get a picture with him. And none of these fans, unlike Broadway fans, would let me even through to get to the front once they were "done" (they are never "done" but you know what I mean.)

Chris Pine came running out and ran straight for the car - not even acknowledging fans. Which was a slight dissappointment. Usually even in a rush, they will at least acknowledge you as a whole group and leave. But this wasn't the case with Pine. Ah well.

I briefly saw Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Makita as they exited in a very quick manner as well. (Ferguson is in town because he's cast in the Shakespeare in the Park play this summer). I would have liked to have said hello to him as well. But oh well, this wasn't his party. 

Cumberbatch was very kind and tried to sign everything people threw his way and take as many pics as possible without there being a mob scene or injuries. Too bad I had nothing with me to have him sign though. 

But without further ado, here are my Cumberbatch pics.