MisterHobo Reviews "Prometheus" (2012)

Prometheus has landed

In many ways, “Prometheus” is the standard, average sci-fi movie. Amazing visuals: check. Engaging, edge-of-your-seat style action: check. At least one terribly gruesome scene: check. Plot holes: check. Lame acting: hmmm..

Okay, "Prometheus" is better than your average uninspired sci-fi movie, but I can’t help feeling that director Ridley Scott may have reached a little low than from what was expected from him.

As the story goes, leading world archeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) uncover some recurring signs in ancient ruins that lead them to believe they’re coming closer to finding out the secret of the origin of humanity. Backed up by the Weyland corporation, they set off on the spaceship Prometheus to a distant planetary system only to find out they’ve dived head first into secrets that are beyond their understanding and dangers beyond their imaginations. In other words…

Now, without wishing to be negative, it feels as if sometimes this film loses sight of its ultimate goal. It feels as if sometimes the film sacrifices not only its message (Whatever it may want to say about human nature, the hunger for the truth, the “be careful what you wish for”, the pseudoscientific theories, I don’t know, I didn’t properly get it) but also the plot at times to distract the audience with it’s jaw-dropping visuals.

In the end, the film is very entertaining, if rather shallow as it must inevitably be compared to “Alien” (1979)

This comparison is apt, given that “Prometheus” is in fact the prequel to “Alien” (but you already knew that) and the similarities are rife. Sketchy android: check, Strong female hero: check. Shady corporate agenda: check. The absolute worst space crew to ever step into a spaceship: check. Lame acting: hmm…

I could say that for a science fiction movie, there is a great acting ensemble, but that wouldn’t be completely accurate. For any movie, there is a great acting ensemble. We got Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce, Patrick Wilson, all of them awake and active and giving great performances. Even the supporting cast, as stock characters as they all may be give solid, believable performances. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw such a well acted sci-fi film.

As for the “prequel factor” it’s very much noticeable. Though “Prometheus” does try to stand as it’s own movie rather than just ride by as an Alien prequel, the “Alien” references are all there if you keep your eyes open, but try not to keep them so open that you miss the new aspects that “Prometheus” brings to the table.

So if you haven’t already seen it, I do suggest to go see “Prometheus”. Sure, it’s not the greatest film of Ridley Scott’s career, and if you’re a hardcore “Alien” fan I can’t say it’s as good as the first two, but it’s still damn well entertaining, and it’s better than a whole bunch of sci-fi movies in recent memory. Better than “Battleship”: check. Better than “Lockout”: check. Better than “Chronicle”: check. Better than “Cabin In The Woods”: hmmm…


Hobo-meter score: 4.0/5

MisterHobo Reviews: "Clerks." (1994)

I'm not even supposed to be here today! 

Awww yeah, so yesterday I had the pleasure of getting around to my Netflix queue and watching a movie I’ve been meaning to see for a long time: “Clerks.” This film has all sorts of hype, and I am happy to report, it deserves it.

1994’s “Clerks.” Marks the debut feature of filmmaker Kevin Smith (a.k.a. Silent Bob) and it is a truly unique film. “Clerks.” Stars Brian O’Halloran and Jeff Anderson as the eponymous clerks of a convenience store and a video rental store respectively. The plot of this movie is quite simply a day in the life of these foul-mouthed, dirty minded, minimum wage working young adults as they share with the audience their takes on society, women, sex, and any and all topics the working class youth of the 90’s were privy to. As trivial and banal as this plot may sound, it is awesome.

The shining point of this film is undoubtedly the script. Rather than make the characters spew out vulgar and tasteless one liner punch lines, this film is rife with witty (if rather complex) language that in essence feels more genuine in a young adult conversation that the hopelessly flat vulgar language seen in movies like the “Scary Movie” series or anything involving Seth Rogen. To put it simply; these guys are idiots that talk smart, y’know, like real people.

The rest of the aspects of the movie can be summed up as “Damn Good” The acting is believable, the cinematography is sweet, the black and white was a nice touch that representing the monotony of being a minimum wage slave, and it’s a damn good production for a budget of only 230,000$

Watching “Clerks.” I can’t promise an enlightening experience, nor can I promise you’ll sympathize and feel as if the movie is talking to you specifically if it ends up not being your type of movie. But personally I laughed hard, I laughed often and I finished the movie with a great feeling in my heart and a smile on my face. Highly recommend it.

Hobo-meter score: 4.5/5

What Really Grinds My Gears (6/11/12)

Gee... it's been a while.


June 11/2012: What Really Grinds My Gears

Since this is the returning article of "What Really Grinds My Gears" I feel it very appropriate to make it about the aforementioned blog. Writing a daily "WRGMG" is a HUGE pain in the ass.

I want you to consider for a moment, the effort put into writing a paragraph specifically dedicated to rambling and ranting about a certain aspect of life that somehow pisses you off. Every day. It's depressing. Makes me feel like a cranky old guy sitting on my rocking chair, cursing out the world for spinning.

Think about it, to come home every night and wallow on whatever aspect of life that really gets you down, and then to vent on in by typing, hoping that one of your many friends will sympathize with you and discuss it in the comment section (Click right below, don't be shy, you know you want to)

I know I've mentioned this before, but it's hard to think of something different that really bothers you everyday, because most people are locked into a monotonous life in order to live comfortably every day, therefore, when there isn't much variety in your daily routine, most of the day-to-day pet peeves are similar at best. Writing this blog, I'll try to mix it up and hearing suggestions out from other people, but the main reason I feel like I'm able to write this again is because I've decided not to make it daily.
Hopefully, that'll be enough to keep my mojo going, because this will be my last shot at it, and if I can't keep it up... well... fuck it.

and that, is what really grinds my gears


So to close out this first section, let me know what really grinds your gears today

Welcome to the Dumpster

Greetings:

You have just stumbled upon MisterHobo's new home for his musings, wisdom, and whatever other rambles that come out of his minds. To all of you who have been asking, this blog will be the new home of "What Really Grinds My Gears" though it won't be written daily as it used to be, but randomly though frequently. In addition to my previous column, this blog will contain my very own movie reviews, discussions that I find interesting and daily musings.

As of right now, this blog doesn't have much of an identity other than simply whatever comes out of my head (hence the name) but I do hope to stick to this one unlike I've stuck to any other blog I've written before. That being said, please do keep up reading this blog, tell your friends, tell your family, tell any other hobos you find on the street.

"What Really Grinds My Gears" resumes tomorrow and everything else shall come when it comes.

Sincerely:
MisterHobo