Exyle

San Diego Comic-Con

So, the San Deigo Comic-Con has been going this week…and will continue through the rest of the weekend.  This is an event that is on my “Before I Die” list of things to do.  I went to MegaCon here in Orlando this year, and it was great, but Comic-Con is where it’s at I’m afraid.

So, from all the twitter feeds over the last couple days, it’s been a crazy time with lots of announcements and what not from the panels.  Here are just some noteworthy ones:

1. According to Gary Oldman, Batman 3 should start shooting next year.  Sadly, no more details than that, but I hope Nolan is behind the script and camera again.
2. Disney’s Head of Production, Oren Aviv, says that the next installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean will start filming early next year.  I’m excited to see the direction they go with the franchise now.  Jack Sparrow is a great character.
3. The sequel to Tron is finally coming to a theater near you.  Jeff Bridges is in it, and it’s going to be badass.  So pumped!!
4. I have to say that I’m starting to get really excited to see Where the Wild Things Are.  I recently came across the book again, and though there isn’t much too it, it definitely leaves an impression on you.  The trailer for the movie is incredible, and all the talk around the movie is nothing but great.  Here’s to hoping the Spike Jonze really nailed it.
5. I’m just going to say that I’ve really come to enjoy the remakes that Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes has been doing.  I think they’ve done a great job of updating and reimagining the horror movies I grew up watching.  Obviously, they aren’t perfect, but I enjoy them nonetheless.  I say that because, the Nightmare on Elmstreet series has always been one of my favorites.  Yes, I picked Freddy to open a can on Jason in the Versus movie, but hey, you knew how it was going to end going into it anyways.  Anyways, Platinum Dunes just wrapped filming the new A Nightmare on Elmstreet and none other than Watchman’s Rorschach - played by the memorable Jackie Earle Haley - takes on the glove from series originator Robert Englund as Freddy Kruger.  I’m excited.  This movie has a lot of potential.
6. I’ve always had a small fascination with Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.  And now the one and only Tim Burton is going to be sharing with the world his take on the classic story.  Burton’s Alice in Wonderland is going to be INCREDIBLE!!! I’m so stoked and once you’ve seen the trailer, I’m sure you’ll agree.
7. James Cameron’s Avatar.  Now I don’t even know where to begin on this one.  There have been a lot of speculation and rumors surrounding Cameron’s return to the director’s chair.  Will it be as “revolutionary” as we’ve been told?  Will it redefine cinema and movie-making as we see it today?  Only time will tell.  I for one am excited to see just what all the fuss is about.  And apparently, on August 21st…I’ll get my chance.  You can  see the panel at Comic-Con with Cameron himself here and here and get an idea of the just what the film is all about here.
8. Wanted 2 is going to start filming in 8 weeks.  James McAvoy and apparently Angelina Jolie are going to be back in front of the camera with Timur behind the camera again.  The first movie kicked ass, but was a far a comic book adaptation.  It’ll be interesting to see what direction the script goes.  Either way, it’ll be one hell of ride again.
9. The Resident Evil franchise looks to be returning to theaters with Resident Evil: Afterlife.  Milla Jovovich and even Paul W.S. Anderson - who wrote all the movies, but only directed the first - will be returning behind the camera.  Anderson says that the film will be shot with the cameras used to shoot Avatar.  That definitely sparks my interests.  It’s supposedly an entirely new kickoff to the series, so I guess we’ll see how it goes.  The games have been getting better and better, hopefully the movies can follow suit.
10. Ninja Assassin!!  Honestly, the entire movie is summed up in the title.  Directed by James McTeigue (V for Vendatta) and produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski Brothers (Matrix Triology) and I think you get a very good idea of what’s in store for you when watching the movie.
11. District 9 - all I can say is WOW!!!  It’s an ambitious concept and idea, the trailer is badass, and from all the remarks about the movie so far, it delivers on everything and then some.  Also, apparently all the alien scenes were CGI, and it was shocking how incredibly real they were.  You can hear thoughts on the film here.  The director Neill Blomkamp definitely has made his mark.
12. Iron Man 2.  Not much can be said except for the following because the panel literally just finished, but based on the reaction, it’s going to be badass!!!  Excitement is in the air.

• “Iron man 2 footage was freakin awesome! Incredbile! Everything we want it to be!” - Geek Tyrant
• “Footage again. ScarJo looks kickass in action. Whiplash advancing on injured Stark on race track, whipping his electric tendrils” - CHUD
• “Holy Fuck Iron Man 2 was bananas!!!! WAR MACHINE LOOKS BAD FUCKING ASS.” - Latino Review
• “Its safe to say that IRON MAN 2 was by far the best shit at Comic Con 2009.” - Latino Review

Well, that’s about all I’ve got to write about really.   Exciting times ahead.  But, yes, one of these years, I will be on of the 200,000+ people attending “The Con”, and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it!!!

Michael Jackson

Today, Michael Jackson, is going to be buried.  All day today, at the Staples Center, there was a special public viewing and goodbye (Memorial Service) by family, friends and fans for the undisputed King of Pop.  MJ’s contribution to society and music is virtually unmeasurable and he will truly be missed.  He broke cultural barriers and transformed music videos into an art form.  He lead the way for modern pop in this country with numerous influences in hip hop, pop and R&B.  He was characterized as “an unstoppable juggernaut, possessing all of the tools to dominate the charts seemingly at will:  an instant identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility and loads of shear star power.” (Michael Jackson - Biography)  I personally remember see the Dangerous Tour on HBO when I was growing up and I remember people passing out before the show even started.  To me, that is incredible.

Michael, you will truly be missed, and I thank you for everything you’ve given to the world.  Thank you.

Now, lately there’s been all this talk of his numerous accomplishments:

1. Numerous Guinness World Records
2. 13 Grammy Awards
3. 13 No. 1 Singles in his solo career
4. Over 750 million records sold worldwide
5. Lifetime earnings and royalties estimated at $500 million
6. Etc.

I just want to bring up the fact that Michael Jackson was Captain EO!!!!  Yes, Captain EO.  Now, I’ve been going to Disney World for as long as I can remember, and at EPCOT Center at the Imagination Pavilion, there has always been a 3-D show.  Right now, it’s “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience”, but before that it was Captain EO.  I have to say, I missed it.  I was able to find it on YouTube and for your viewing please I have put them below, but what’s also pretty cool is that Francis Ford Coppola (director of The Godfather films) and produced and written by George Lucas (Star Wars).  That was an incredible bonus, because it definitely has a Star Wars feel.  Anyways, I hope you enjoy.  Again, Michael, thank you for showing us your gifts and talent.

Integrity and Character vs. Reputation

How important is image and reputation in life?  It’s interesting when you think about it sometimes. Someone’s image as the President of the United States, or a celebrity, or a member of the clergy, or even a sports coach or a parent all have an image and reputation that they live by. They are given this image and reputation by us…the public, to child, the mentee, etc. We put these people on a pedestal or are even put there by ourselves. Yet are these images or the reputations given to these individuals, or yourself for that matter, deserving or even true. Often we find out the hard way when the image does not fit with the person. How often does society make people out to be that which they are not? It is unfortunate when this happens against are control and lies and deceit are started. In today’s media driven society, if you are in the light, people are always trying to bring you down or want to know every last thing about you. They put you on this pedestal, creating an image of you they may or may not be real, and forget that you are human and make mistakes. No one is perfect.

Anyways, the point is, in the end it doesn’t matter what other people think. Especially those who don’t take the time to get to know you. As long as you are true to yourself and those closest to you, then that is the best you can do. Be true to your character and your soul, and don’t give into what others make of you or say. Let people know you for who you truly are your character and not by an image or your reputation. William Hersey Davis wrote the following about the difference between character and reputation. Take heed to it and make sure you are doing the right thing:

• The circumstances amid which you live determine your reputation…
• The truth you believe determines your character…
• Reputation is what you are supposed to be;
• Character is what you are…
• Reputation is a photograph;
• Character is the face…
• Reputation comes over one from without;
• Character grows up from within…
• Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community;
• Character is what you have when you go away.
• Your reputation is made in a moment;
• Your character is built in a life time…
• Your reputation is learned in an hour;
• Your character does not come to light for a year…
• Reputation grows like a mushroom;
• Character lasts like eternity…
• Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor;
• Character makes you happy or makes you miserable…
• Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone;
• Character is what the angels say about you before the throne of God.

Make sure you live a good life with a character of value and worth. It is who you are. The person you see when you look in the mirror. The person you are when no one is around or looking. It’s the person that only you truly know and only you can find. Besides D.L. Moody wrote, “If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.” Find out who you are inside. Listen and follow your heart. “Many succeed momentarily by what they know; some succeed temporarily by what they do; but few succeed permanently by what they are.” Being honest and true to yourself my not be the easiest road but it is the “only” road that will get you to where you truly want to go.