A date to celebrate the birth of our great nation.
HR
Page 5 of 15
A few days a go I watched what is arguably the most anticipated film since the pandemic, the most anticipated film of 80s nostalgia, and the most anticipated action packed film of any action film fan. Pretty much the most anticipated film in years. This review is free of spoilers.
I will start saying that generally speaking, Top Gun: Maverick was not a dissapointment. It actually was a great experience, but like Tron: Legacy, it left the following thought in my mind: “Is this it?” Unbeknownst to me, Top Gun Maverick’s director happened to be Tron Legacy’s director. Hence probably why throughout the film I kept getting this weird feeling: “This movie somehow feels very similar in tone and structure to Tron: Legacy.” After leaving the theater and critically disecting the film, I realized that the overall experience was also similar to Legacy.
Since I believe A.O. Scott from the New York Time’s already wrote what may be one of the best reviews of the film, I will simply share a quick summary of the what I liked and did not like of the film:
I liked:
- Tom Cruise. He’s terrific in his role and simply nails it. He has the magic, aura, presence and he perfectly plays Pete Mitchell, now a 50-year-old whose ego keeps writing checks his body cannot cash.
- The film felt like a real movie. No major CGI, actual stunts, great action sequences. It was great to feel that exciting feeling in a movie theater again.
- It was good to see Val Kilmer.
- Tom’s introduction at the beginning. Say what you will, but it was nice to see him thank the audience for being there.
I did not like:
- The new characters were mediocre. Definitely not on par with Iceman, Slider, Hollywood, Viper or Jester. They were one-dimensional and other than Rooster, they did not seem to have any distinct personalities.
- The line “Fifth-generation fighters.” I guess this was because of political-correctness, as it was probably inappropriate to say “Sukhois.” My issue here is that every time they said “Fifth-generation fighters“, it kind of took me out of the movie. Does our army refer to enemy aircraft as “Fifth-generation fighters” instead of calling them by their names?
- The ending was a little dragged, forced, and could have done better. It felt as if they ran out of ideas and came up with whatever they could to wrap the movie up.
- Jennifer Connelly’s character was predictable and useless. She added nothing to the plot.
Is it better than the original? No. Is it a fun film to go see in the theaters? Absolultely.
HR
Their jersey prevailed.
They knocked out PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City by a one goal difference.
They defeated Liverpool by 1-0.
There are clubs, there are good glubs, great clubs, legendary clubs… and there is Real Madrid.
HR
The time has come to accept a new professional challenge in my career.
It was a pleasure working with so many great people for almost five years, and I am looking forward to working with a new wonderful, successful and professional team.
Nadal is just unbelievable.
Even when he has already shut our mouths so many times in the past and we think he will not be able to do it again, guess what happens.
I have said it before and will say it once more. Choose whoever you want for the debate of the best tennis player of all time. If the fate of the Earth and all of humanity -including my own life- was on the line and depended on one tennis match, I would give my racket to Rafael Nadal.
Congratulations to Rafa!
My best wishes to everyone!
…and Happy Holidays to everyone!
HR
It sure feels like it was yesterday when I started writing my book. It took seven years to get it finished and published (in its Spanish version available here).
An immense feeling of satisfaction and achievement surrounds me, as well as the need to take a break from the project, which means that ongoing work in the English version will be on hold for a while. I still want to keep 2023 as a target for release, and I will do my best to make it happen. However I feel that I need to clear my mind and also collect some much needed feedback from the Spanish version, which I could be able to use for a potential second edition, as well as the first edition of the English version.
I also want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the project, and thank you to everyone who has purchased a copy of my book and allowing themselves to dive into my little baby.
As always, I will keep everyone posted.
HR
Congratulations for the Atlanta Braves for winning the World Series after defeating the Houston Astros four games to two.
It was their fourth World Series title in the franchise’s history and their first since 1995 back when the Maddux / Glavine / Smoltz combination led them over the Cleveland Indians. To think they were so close to winning back-to-back championships when they let the New York Yankees stage a comeback after being up by two games to one, and 6 runs to 0 in the fourth game.
Ahh… the 90s…
HR
I went to see this film based on a hunch that it would be something different, and I was not dissapointed. Two things stood out to me:
- The outdoors establishing shot of the house where most of the main events take place in the film, shows a victorian two-floor 1,100 sq.ft. structure. Yet, the inside takes of the house show rooms that are so spacious it seems like it is a 7,000 sq.ft. mansion with so much spare space, you could hold a 300-guest party in it.
- During a particular scene near the end of the second act, two of the characters are driving to an old and abandoned mental institution. They have any available spot to park, yet somehow they choose to park their car at the very borderline of an edge just a few inches away from a free fall that would have sent them down about 1,000 feet.
What an interesting film! Or should I say, prank played by James Wan?
HR