Bay Area Trip 2015

Bay Area fun!

~~San Francisco Part 1: Album

~~San Francisco Part 2: Album

~~Oakland and Berkeley: Album

~~San Jose/Wrestling: Album

The Avengers Impressions

"The Avengers" is easily the best "superhero" film that I have 

ever seen. After wading through, what seemed to be, an endless ocean of poor to decent films, I was beginning to wonder if there was even any dry land to be found. Gladly, there was, and the hand that pulled me out of the water was Joss Whedon's.

His unique style of action, humor, and engaging storytelling was exactly what this film needed. Though, I'd have to say, the great triumph of Whedon's handling of this film was in the way he was able to balance the  importance and contributions of all the characters. Many of us, read "most of us," believed that this film would just be Robert Downey Jr.'s "Tony Stark" acting circles around the rest of the cast. As most of you know, by now, this was not the case. Every character had their place and every character had their chance to shine. 

Some of the most common complaints about the film have been about the length, but I honestly can't imagine it being even 10 minutes shorter. This is definitely one of those films where you go in, sit down, are constantly engaged, and stand up about two and a half hours later, wallet in hand, ready to see it again. 

Five stars out of five. Brilliant movie. Let's hope the upcoming Marvel sequels can keep up the momentum.

How High You Go

I tied a rock

To a bird

To see if it could handle

The extra weight.

It struggled at first,

But eventually it mustered the strength

To fly over the trees

And out of sight.

Perhaps I should have tried

A bigger rock?

Or maybe how high

The bird can fly

Just isn't up to me.

Copyright © 2009 Jarred Lee

Stifled Creativity

My creativity will probably die

At a desk, or in a cubicle.

In an office on some rainy day

In mid-December,

Or in some business class seat

On a flight to some far away place.

My creativity will probably die,

But I can not step aside.

My legs will not allow me to.

Perhaps every step that I have taken

Up to this point

Has understood the burden

Of this seemingly inevitable truth?

My creativity will probably die

Because "they" will strike it down.

"They" will bludgeon it with grading scales and

Performance reviews.

Choke it with mortgages, college loans,

And insurance premiums.

"They" will lock my creativity away,

In some digitized safe,

To collect interest,

Compounded monthly.

My creativity will die,

And the only witnesses will be

The desks, the cubicles, the offices,

The business class seats,

And those rainy days in mid-December.

I hope you have better luck.

Green Lantern Impressions

"Green Lantern" is yet another film that seems to fall victim to one of the very messages that it tries to preach. More specifically, the film somehow manages to squander practically every gift that it receives.

Millions of dollars in CGI, rich source material, and a decent cast can't save a film when the writing is weak on almost every level and the majority of said cast gives bland and forgettable performances (I say the majority because Mark Strong does manage to pull off a decent, if generally underused, Sinestro).

I am awarding "Green Lantern" one and a half stars out of five. All in all, it is probably the most disappointing film that I have seen so far this summer. If tons of CGI, or the fact that a film is based off of a popular comic series, are all that it takes for you to go see a movie, then you've probably already seen this film (or you are at least planning to see it in the near future). If those conditions don't apply to you, then I strongly suggest that you save your money. You aren't missing anything.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Impressions

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" was significantly more entertaining than the two films that preceded it, which wasn't all that hard to accomplish, but just as poorly written. I mean, the logical gaps were just too excessive. While I was watching the movie, I actually came up with an alternate title that seemed much more fitting than "Dark of the Moon." I call it "Transformers: What Was Your Plan?!" Why, you ask? Because hardly a minute goes by where you don't want to ask that question. All of the character's actions seemed so impulsive and ill-conceived that you really have to wonder if the writers weren't just randomly stringing together index cards with ideas written on them. Yes, every last character. Even Optimus Prime himself made more than a few pointlessly stupid decisions. I am all for expensive CGI and whatnot, but if a film feels like it was written by the kid in the back of the class who flicks his boogers and just can't seem to sit still then I'm sorry, I just can not enjoy it.

I am awarding "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" two stars out of five for being as flashy as ever, but still very poorly written. Honestly, the film's masterstroke is definitely the fact that Leonard Nimoy voices a majorcharacter. That is really the only reason I could ever envision myself watching it again.

Out With The Old...

So it has become fairly apparent to me that more than a few of the links that have previously been used on this blog have died for whatever reason. Most of the old content is still up and running, especially original stuff, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue. I will say, however, that the blog's new life starts now. Everything from this moment should be considered the result of a new outlook and a tempered perspective. Welcome to a new "Deaf Rogue."

Picture taken and edited by me.

I'm Not Dead! (Probably)

So yeah, this blog has been inactive for a pretty long time. I really just dropped most of my ongoing projects when I started working at Target last summer. I am working to get things started up here again, and hopefully things will be better than they were the first time around.

Thank You, My Twilight (With English Lyrics)

So the pillows turn twenty-one today and I just thought I'd take the time to share what has come to be my favorite song of theirs (which is saying a lot). Here's to another twenty-one years, guys!

English Lyrics*

Life, life is beautiful
My roulette keeps spinning
She, she is wonderful
I want to see the present in those eyes
Immediately I seized that feeling

It's as if I'm waiting for someone
If you appear, it won't be a mistake
I was waiting for you

Life, life is beautiful
I'll keep singing just as I speak
She, she is wonderful
Those words shine even in the darkness
Brilliant tears overflowed

Sometime they'll ask
"How long, how far does that feeling go?"
Baby, however far you want

Life, life is beautiful
My roulette keeps spinning
She, she is wonderful
I want to see the present in those eyes
Immediately I seized that feeling

Even if there is no miracle, it's enough, you know
Even if today is the last day
Thank you, my twilight
Thank you, my twilight

Summer 2010 Movie Review Backlog #2: The Karate Kid

**Sorry for the lack of posting over this past month. I have been extremely lazy. August will be different, I promise. >_>

I am hesitant to even call this homage to the film that first used this title, but "The Karate Kid" was fairly entertaining to watch. Everything about the film was fairly standard, the choreography for the fights were decent, as was the general story of the film, but my biggest problem was the acting. I have never really liked Jaden Smith, and I certainly think that he has yet to prove himself as any kind of actor, but even beyond that, the only other actor in the film that gave even a decent performance was Jackie Chan. In fact, I think that it could easily be said that he carried the film. My only other issue with the film was that there was a very loose sense of time, and that made the whole pre-tournament part of the movie hard to watch.

I am awarding "The Karate Kid" two and a half stars out of five for be entertaining to watch (and for casting Jackie Chan) but for having fairly poor acting and a loose concept of time. I would definitely rent/Netflix/whatever this film, but it's certainly not collection worthy.

Let Me In Trailer #1

[Video Link]


I have been fearing this day since I first heard about the American remake of 2008's (yes, 2008's!) "Let the Right One In" a few years ago, and it seems like my fears may have been well deserved. The original trailer for the film didn't rely on any dialogue or voice-overs, and came across as something much more intriguing and mysterious than the trailer for the remake. Don't get me wrong, it could still turn out to be a great film, I just fear that the new director is going to take to many chances with his "re-envisioning" of the story.

I am not going to lie, "Let the Right One In" is not only one of my favorite films, but one of my favorite books as well. This upcoming film has a lot to live up to, and from what I have read and seen so far it looks like it is going to be more of a localization than a remake.

Summer 2010 Movie Review Backlog #1: Iron Man 2 Impressions

I was very disappointed with "Iron Man 2." The first film had a nice balance of action and humor while still making you feel like what you were seeing was important. "Iron Man 2," however, focuses far too much on the "humor" (bad jokes and overly long dialogue) and leaves you pondering the question of whether or not what you are watching is at all significant. Also, what little action there was felt kind of cheap. Not in flashiness, (it is still a big budget Marvel film), but in content. Every one of the three or so "fights" felt too easy and very much anticlimactic.

What "Iron Man 2" did well, though, was tease about three upcoming Marvel films. I won't say anything about them, but I will say that it just felt... wrong. Like my money was just being used for these other films and everything else they are showing me is just filler. Why can't they just make a solid film with all of the teasers and whatnot at the end?

The only thing I even remotely liked about the film was the acting, and like I said before, the dialogue did not do them any kind of service.

I am awarding "Iron Man 2" a very disappointing two and a half stars out of five for losing the feeling of "significance" that the first film had, having very little action, and for focusing too much on "humor." On a lighter note, however, I am now excited for those three other movies I mentioned. So, no big loss... right?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 MTV Clip

The closer this movie comes, the more sad I get... but still, I am fairly excited to see it. At least they are giving it the "two part" treatment. Anyway, watch and enjoy!

On a semi-related note, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens in a few weeks! Check out the site if you haven't already!

***Note: I apologize for the "lower" quality. Youtube took down the original upload so I just found a copy for myself.

Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin: Sleep Is Death

[Video Link]

You never really realize how valuable your time is until someone is paying you for it.

Anyway, here is a "new" HAWP video (and by "new" I mean like a month old). Also, HAWP has a cool "new" site that you should totally check out. Anyway, enjoy your respective Memorial Day weekends (if you're in the states)! I won't be enjoying mine!

Inception Trailer 2

[Video Link]

I can not wait to see this film. Not only does it seem interesting and engaging, but it also plays host to a great cast of actors. Circle July 16th on your calendars!

Jonah Hex Trailer

[Video Link]

I will admit, I was moderately intrigued by this film when I first heard about it, and considerably intrigued when I saw the cast listing. But now that I've seen the first trailer, I honestly don't know what to think. I mean, it just doesn't look especially "cool," you know? Ah well, the film is dated for June 18th so I suppose we will find out soon enough.

This Day in Calvin and Hobbes: April 30, 1993

Spaceman Spiff just can't seem to go anywhere without dangerous aliens popping up. What a life.

The Last Airbender Trailer 3

[Video Link]

The more I see of this film, the more serious it looks. Where are the jokes? Where is the humor? I will admit that the bending looks great, but "Avatar: The Last Airbender" was not all action. I don't think that I have seen the kid playing Aang do so much as crack a smile even once. I am still anxious to see this film, despite the casting choices and the seriousness, but that is mostly because I just want to get it out of the way.

Kick-Ass Impressions

I can't say that I had high hopes going into this film, having not read the comics (though I wasn't expecting the movie to be 100% true to them) and not recognizing any of the actors other than Nicolas Cage and "McLovin," but I can definitely say that I was pleased with what I saw.

My greatest fear, at least after seeing the trailers, was that "Kick-Ass" would be more of a spoof of a "superhero" movie than one in its own right, but there was certainly enough grit and action to keep the audience engaged. The best thing about the film, though, was definitely the fact that it never took itself too seriously. There were buckets of blood and copious amounts of violence, but it all just felt fun. Maybe the zany choice of music did a great deal of helping, but never before (and perhaps never again) has watching a little girl in a mask and a cape take out an entire room of drug dealers with various bladed weaponry been so hilarious.

Anyway, there really isn't too much to say beyond that. My biggest problems with the film were that too many things felt unbelievably convenient and that the acting ranged from fairly mediocre to outright cheesy. Maybe it was simply supposed to be commentary on the "traditional" superhero movie, but I just found it to be annoying.

I am awarding "Kick-Ass" four stars out of five for being gritty and fun to watch, but still lacking a strong cast and for being overly convenient. If you don't mind a great deal of violence and swearing, then "Kick-Ass" is definitely the film for you. Otherwise, you might want to see something else because you will most likely be doing some seat squirming if you choose to see this.

Prince of Persia Trailer #2

[Video Link]

I want to not have mixed feelings about this film, I really do, but I just can't get over some of the scenes and lines in these trailers. It could go either way at this point. I guess we will just have to wait until May 28th to find out whether or not the action can drown out the cheesy dialogue.