Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Movie of the Week - Star Wars Episode III

Ah, the long awated closure of the film and Anankin's descent into the Dark Side.
The movie was good and it was bad. Overall worth seeing, but I thought it could have been tons better. However, you will find those out there thinking it is the best things since sliced bread. I can only shake my head in wonder.

Good: The awesome scene with Count Dooku as Palpatine manipulates Anakin into the same test he puts Luke into in Return of the Jedi. Except, Anakin fails and Luke does not. Count Dooku's expression as he realizes what Palpatine is doing was precious! Wished they'd done more of this!!!

Bad: Padme was a puppet with no drive. In 2 films they go out of their way to show her drive, independence, taking control, and in this one all she does is be pregnant, and sit in the apartment. The real Padme would have been out there investigating the moment Anakin made the comments he did about the Jedi and Palpatine. Sigh

Good: A lot of the uniforms and tech start going toward what they will one day look like for Episode 4.

Bad: Obi Wan's fighting prowess. Super easily pushed aside by Count Dooku, only to more than hold his own with Grievous (who per the cartoon Clone Wars had already killed many Jedi on his own), him telling Anakin several times how much more powerful Anakin was than he, yet the fight with Anakin he has little trouble, never get the impression of someone pressed to the limit. If he had, it would have worked so much better! Especially since it is so lame how he actually does defeat Anakin. Would have liked it more to have been something that occured due to chance, that which can topple empires, and that a mishap is what took him down and not Obi Wan. They also, out of nowhere, through these kung fu stances for Obi Wan that have never been shown before in any of his fights. I thought it glaring.

Good: Awesome special effects as usual!

Bad: Kasshyk and Chewbacca - other than showing them, there was no purpose to Chewy ebing there. We got told nothing as to who he was on his world or anything. And the fact he knew Yoda and then later gets involved with Luke, etc seems rather farfetched. He added nothing to the film whatsoever. :-(

Good: The super cool lizard!!!!! Obi Wan's lizard rocked! Had already seen it is a new mount on SWG on line, but had not realized he would be in the film. :-)

Bad: All Obi Wan got was tons of one liners. Give the boy some room people! He can act!

Good: Palpatine was AWESOME! He was utterly driping with evil. Heh heh heh

Over all I enjoyed it, but it didn't even make me want to run to see it a second time. I may go do that eventually but if I don't...shrug... **1/2 Wahhhhhhhhhh

Monday, May 16, 2005

Movies - Unleashed

Unleashed is the latest Jet Li release.
It was great! Some awesome chopsocki and a wonderful cast. Jet Li was very good in his role. He definitely gave the impression of being like a dog--he had the best puppy eyes! There are a couple of scenes that will take you totally by surprise too and the choreography for the fights was outstanding. ***1/2!!

Sci Fi Expo

This past weekend on 5/14-5/15 I had a table at the SciFi Expo in Plano, Tx. With the upcoming release of Star Wars Episode III and free general admission, the place was hopping all weekend. Only sold 2 books, but all the promo stuff was moving like hotcakes. Was expecting a very small table since I'd gotten in as an author/small press, but had a regualr sized which was awesome. Next to me were the EB Games people who rocked! I gave them some space behind me so they could stretch out boxes, rolling posters, etc and they fed me! Whoohoo! Free food! :-) Plus a couple of the guys with the group were quite funny. Their big screen with the new Episode III game attracted all sorts of people, which in turn sent them past me, which was awesome. Add in the Nookee table on my other side with 2 blond bombshells, and I had great traffic. lol.

Think I will definitely do this one again. Hopefully all the people who've now found out about it will come back next year. :-)

Friday, May 13, 2005

Book - Death Mask of the Jaguar by Murdoch Hughes

Latest read has been Death Mask of the Jaguar by Mudoch Hughes. This is the second mystery book with private eye Rick Sage. Really enjoyeed this one. I think it was even better than Murder in La Paz. Gritty detective Rick Sage is once more asked to help the Mexican government when a grissly murder leaves a lone boy and a map alone in the world. Add in a little Mayan mysticism, awesome scenery, a hot nun, and you've got a major ride in the making!

As with the first book there's a big twist or two. As last time, you think you see what it will be, and while you may be right, they also take a turn to the left as well. A quick and fun read! Check him out!

Saturday, May 07, 2005

Movie of the Week - Kingdom of Heaven

Will probably try to post a comment or two on movies I see for the week. My hubby is a movie nut and we got to the theaters every Friday. :-) This week's film (though I had to make him see this one) was Kingdom of Heaven with Orlando Bloom. The whole topic of the Crusades and especially the Muslim is very fascinating. The Muslims were at the peak of their game during those times, their technology astounding.

Anyway, the film was fun! Orlando played a very reserved young man, but when he felt something, you knew it. The role was very well suited for him. Lots of drool fodder for us ladies from him I think. :-) We had good guys that were good, bad guys that were good, good guys that were bad--real people maybe. :-) Awesome film shots all around. Squirted blood for a splash of realism. Heck just watching the film for the awesome trebuche action was worth it!

Only bad thing I saw was that Orlando's character did not have much in the way of troubles where he had to angst over the decisions. He had one major spot, but he made it pretty much without hesitation. But aside from that, loved everyone involved. Some very nice acting and definitely awesome special effects and battle scenes! Yay! ***1/2

Friday, May 06, 2005

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog!
Hopefully it will be a semi interesting place.
Promise to try to post somewhat regularly but no guarantees!

Glad to see you here!

Gloria Oliver
www.gloriaoliver.com
Fantasy Novels and more
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