Pirates of The Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides Review (Minor Spoilers)

If you enjoyed the last three films of Pirates of The Caribbean mainly for its compelling plot, the relationships between characters, and the way the sub-plots seemed to merge so well in to the main story than you might want to skip the fourth installment of this franchise.

In this fourth film there are only three or four characters from the past three films (counting the monkey) and a few new characters who introduced in the film. Now this isn't reall the issue I have with this movie, in fact its natural for any continuing franchise to add new characters in order for it to grow and stay fresh, its just how they went about it. I'm mainly referring to the introduction of Angelica, one of Jack's many love conquests from the past but with a small twist, he apparently had genuine feelings for her. Throughout the film they got nostalgic time and time again, digging up old times so many times that I was beginning to think she was some minor character from the other films I had forgotten about. I only see more character issues will arise from Angelica in any following films as the studio has expressed interest in making a Pirates of the Caribbean 5 and 6.

I'm going to avoid the Spaniards in this review, a.k.a Deus Ex Machina, as they only appeared in four short moments in the film.  I'll now turn my attention to the films initial plot and story. A task that would be easier if the two didn't disappear from time to time throughout the film, or had not become too convoluted. Which is a shame as the other films handled multiple sub-plots and intertwining personal stories so well. Such as the third movies main plot being the end of the pirate age and a desperate struggle to keep it going but within this story you had; Davey Jones being controlled and was trying to release himself, Jack was dead and his friends were trying to revive him, Will was on the Dutchman and was trying to help his father, the Pirate Lords were coming together, and so on and so forth. The difference is that the first through third films didn't make the viewers feel like the action was being shoved down their throats. But there is given consideration as the third movie was a two parter and was a continuation of the second movie. I would rather have seen this franchise stay as a trilogy, but that isn't too say that this movie wasn't completely void of merit, mere enjoyment, and Jack (I mean Captain) Sparrow's brand of humor. An ok movie over all, especially considering the incredible amount it could've really been ruined, but doesn't really stand up to the other films level.

Movie Pick: Brief Interviews with Hideous Men

'Brief Interviews with Hideous Men'. This movie is amazing, and I'm a hard person to please. In a brief summary its about a woman's quest to understand man in a post-feminist society, and perhaps to understand her own relationships with the men in her life. I know, sounds like a chick flick but this movie is an interesting view for both genders. Through this movie the main character acts as an interviewer but barely speaks in the film, appearing as an unknown observer trying to peek in to a man's mind. Which seems to be filled with sexual advances and conquests, false understanding of women, obsessive fetishes, shock value ideas, and so on. But going back to the film as a whole, it almost feels to mashed up to be good. Every scene is changing and becomes a story all on its own (and yes I know this was based on a collection of short stories), but it never loses its fluidity. Such as the scene that matches up all the talk up till then in to an argument about Victor Franco and how horrible experiences can still have a positive effect on a person. At least to me, you soon start watching just for those interviews. Her subjects become just as interesting to the viewer as it does to her. Each one is different, unique even, and contain their own varied history and personalities, but what I enjoyed most out of these characters were that they were truly believable. Well that's my take on this movie and I hope you do not watch this with your significant other, and enjoy.

Scott Pilgrim and Other Source Based Movies (One Of Many Rants to Come)

I have just finished watching "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World"......Here is a sum of what I feel in the form of advice, if you've ever read the comic don't watch it, if you never knew this was a comic in the first place go ahead and enjoy yourself. Why would I say this? Because people that are un-aware of Scott Pilgrims origin, or other comic turned movie, wouldn't be sitting through a one and a half hour ‘ok’ movie almost sub-consciously comparing it to its predecessor the whole time. I’m not saying that such movies as Iron Man or Spiderman 1 were horrible. But take any long running series of any medium in to a one hour block buster and you've accomplished nothing but stripping it of what made it special in order to cater to the masses that are ignorant of what it once was.

Just look at Constantine the movie, Keanu Reeve's makes Constantine seem like someone I'd enjoy hanging out with, a gruff but misunderstood fellow who, at the end, fights for what’s good. His comic counterpart on the other hand, I would sooner beat the ever loving crap out of and ask his best mate why he's still with someone who could easily be the single reason why his life sucks even more that it already does. Most source related movies are usually no where near as good as the source there ripping off. I'm sure there are some that prove this wrong, but over all there all a disappointment in some way. Source based films are now expected to be failures, the proof of this is that cringing knee jerk reaction people get whenever I mention The Warriors is going to be re-made and Akira is soon to be a live action movie. Even worse than basing a movie off of a best selling novel and known comics, is past movies. Re-makes are rarely good, there’s Toy Story 3 and then there’s Punisher: Warzone. Now, I like Disturbia which was said to be strongly based on Rear View Window, but their isn't a Hitchcock fan out their who'd say Disturbia was better.

Which is a major problem, rarely do I see a remake trying to be better than the original. I don’t expect much from Hollywood anymore but, as most geeks, when I hear JLA the movie I get a little excited than I get small flashbacks of Dragonball Evolution and Punisher. In short, if your more of a main stream blockbuster movie goer, go ahead and indulge. But if your like me and enjoy The Warriors and Akira as they were, save the 11.50 and do what I do, sneak in for the first five minutes and ask for a refund.