Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time

I watched this movie yesterday at it's premiere in Poland, and feel that I need to do a review on this movie too, before the details are forgotten by my Goldfish memory.

To begin the review of the movie, I have to mention that the story is derived from the Video Game series with the name: "Prince of Persia". These games became very popular, with Prince of Persia, Prince of Persia 2: the Shadow and the Flame, Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time being some of the earlier titles, and the latter one the inspiration of this review.

In the video game, the setting is similar, but the plot is vastly different: "In Azad, the Vizier of the Maharajah tricks the Prince into releasing the Sands of Time contained inside the Hourglass of Time, using the Dagger of Time. The Sands wash over the kingdom, turning all living beings into monsters. The Prince, Farah, and the Vizier remain unchanged due to their possessions; a dagger, a medallion, and a staff, respectively. " - Wikipedia

In the movie, the plot is that the Prince (named Dastan, oddly, since the Princes are different individuals in every video game, let alone have a name but "the Prince") manages to help out the conquest of the holy town of Azad. The reason for the attack is that there are rumors of weapons being forged inside the town and later sold to the Persian Empire's enemies.

When the King (enraged by the act that was followed out by his sons) celebrates Dastan's courage.

Dastan wasn't of royal blood, he was a mere orphan who caught the King's eyes when he defended one of his friends against the Royal Guards, so he took him in as his son.

Dastan gives the King a gift, the robe of Azad's King, which was incidentally given to him by his brother. The robe is poisoned and the King dies.

Dastan is quickly judged to be the murderer and he has to flee with the princess of Azad.

The only reason she helps him out is because of him possessing a sacred dagger, which he took from one of the Azad warrior who was on his way to take it into safety.

While the Princess tries to kill Dastan to take the dagger away from him, he manages to press the top of the dagger with his thumb. When he does that not once, but twice, and the same event transpires, he finds out that the dagger can reverse time.

And suddenly it becomes clear why the attack on Azad was done, and he quickly comes to suspect his older brother as the King's murderer.

He decides to go to his father's funeral to take contact with his uncle Nizam. There he finds out that it was Nizam who killed his father, since he was the one that gave Dastan's brother the robe to give it to Dastan.

The reason was that Nizam once saved his brother, the King from being killed by beast, and he regretted that, since if he hadn't, he could have reigned as a King for his full lifetime.

Anyhow, events transpire, and after quite a few betrayals from the Princess, Dastan decides to help her to take the dagger to the holy temple where it can be safe.

But when they get there, they find out that the guards are killed, and get attacked by assassins, one of them a very ugly fellow with a scar on his face. Dastan's younger brother gets killed in the process, as he was pursuing Dastan.

The assassins get a hold of the dagger and deliver it to Nizam.

Dastan and the princess have to make their way to the palace to take the dagger back.

Well in the palace, Dastan convinces his brother, the King, about the Dagger's power and why Nizam wants it.

But too late, his brother gets killed by Nizam, and he takes the Dagger to the sands of time, to take time back.

But the princess and Dastan are on his tail, and when Nizam thrusts the dagger into the sands of time, Dastan manages to stop it after a long struggle.

Dastan finds himself back into the events prior to he King's death, and manages to reveal Nizam's plans, sorting everything out.

He marries the princess, and everything is well.

I have to say that I was positively surprised by the plot's twists in this movie. When I watched the trailer I wasn't that much impressed, and thought that it was just another fantasy movie, but I was wrong.

The movie was much different than the trailer, and I'm happy that they did it that way.

Many trailers make the mistake of revealing all the best parts of the movie in that short two minutes, something that Disney didn't do this time.

Regarding the movie, being from the Middle East myself, I found the sceneries absolutely beautiful, as well as the clothing.

Sure, I thought at first that Jake Gyllenhaal was a bad choice as the hero (mainly because of what I call the "Brokeback mountain effect", if an actor makes an obscure role, it will haunt him). But I was wrong, since he portrayed the courageous and impulsive Prince pretty well.

What I liked with the musical score was that they managed to add the musical culture of the Middle East without making it cliché or corny. How often haven't we heard the overuse of the Santor in musical scores of movies that take place in the Middle East?

Bravo, Disney.

But what I liked the most with this movie was the plot, a twist that I didn't foresee. It's wasn't as deep as in Shutter Island, but quite fitting an action movie.

And the special effects were beautiful, especially when Damian used the Dagger.

All I have to say is that if you want to watch a good movie, watch this one. It's maybe not a movie that gives you much to think about when you have watched it, but it gives you a helluva show.

Robin Hood

Today I have some time on my hands, so I'll try to review Robin Hood, which had premiere not too long ago.

One thing that I have to go through first, is the constant notion of that the director, Ridley Scott, also did the movie Gladiator (which in my mind was a very good movie, but I may review that movie one day).

Normally, I don't think that the director makes the movie, since we have some exceptions, like John Hughes that made the Breakfast Club, and then went into making horrible movies like Home Alone 3 and Flubber.

But, then we have James Cameron, who showed his excellence by his absence.

In the Terminator, and Terminator 2: Judgement Day, both directors James Cameron and Mario Kassar were directors. The two movies have recieved cult status in the "tech noir" genre. But when it came to Terminator 3, James Cameron had dropped out (since he at that time had noted that he would stop directing movies after he was done with Titanic), and Jonathan Mostow dropped in as the director.

I don't think that I need to say more about the results, since the movie isn't viewed in high regard by the fans to this day.

Back to my point, Ridley Scott showed that the director makes the movie, since his excellence in Gladiator shone through this movie. His choice of making Russel Crowe (who incidentally may be twins with Gerard Butler) the hero again was a relief for me, since he is a good actor when it comes to heroic characters. I am not speaking about the Superman type of heroes, but the kind of hero that is a man that has crafted his skills by discipline, and is a loyal kind of man.

Although many readers may disagree, I think that Robin Hood was in class with Gladiator. Just keep the hate-mail away, please.

Let's dissect this movie, shall we?

The time is the 13th Century. We are in France, in the battlefields where Robin Longstride fights along the Englishmen against the French, in a crusade led by King Richard, a failed campaign which has lead a great loss of gold.

At the death of King Richard, Robin Longstride decides to flee back to England to start new lives as free men. He is accompanied by some friends, Will Scarlett, Alan-a-Dale and Little John.

The knights that were supposed to bring the crown of King Richard back to England are ambushed

by a pack of men lead by Godfrey, an Englishman that serves the Royal Family of England.

Luckily, Robin Longstride and his men kill Godfrey's men, and Godfrey manages to escape.

All the knights but one are killed, Robin Loxley of Nottingham.

Robin Longstride promises Robin Loxley to take his sword back to his father in Nottingham, since he had "borrowed" it without his father's permission.

Robin Longstride notices that this is a chance for them to get to England, and dress up in the Knights' armors, and Robin Longstride takes the last name of Loxley.

They get on the boat that awaits them, with the crown, and are lead to the Royal family, where they give back the crown, and the brother of King Richard, Edward, becomes the new King.

This new King is a very sinister one, not honoring his people or showing mercy to them.

Robin finally arrives to Nottingham as Robin Loxley, where he is taken in by Walter, the real Robin Loxley's father. Walter finds out quite easily that his son is dead, and decides that Robin takes his place and pretends to be Robin Loxley, and takes Lady Marian as his wife.

Robin finds out that the village hasn't got any more crops left to be able to manage, and that the only crops left are being given to the Bishop.

Together with Brother Friar Tuck and his men, he makes a plan: "what if the crops were never to reach the bishop?". They ambush the cart and steal the crops back and plant them into the soil.

Lady Marian, at first not impressed by Robin, sees his qualities as a righteous man when she finds out about his noble deed.

Meanwhile Godfried is making sinister plans, making King Edward to approve over a plan, where Godfried and his men are to collect "taxes" to increase the welfare of the Royal Family, by force.

Not too late, however, it's found out that Godfried's men are French soldiers that are coming into England without anyone knowing.

The King negotiates with the lords and they settle for that if they win against the French, they will regain their freedom as men.

They battle the French, and win with a blast, but in the end, King Edward regrets his choice, burns the settlement up, and declares Robin Longstride, also known as Robin Loxley or Robin of the Hood, an outlaw.

Robin takes residence in the Sherwood forest together with Lady Marian, Brother Tuck and the Orphans (from the previous attacks).

And that's how the story began.

In retrospect, this movie was a bit like "Batman Begins", but rather "Robin Hood begins".

It showed Robin Hood's previous life before he became an outlaw, aswell as his way to become Robin Hood, the hero of English folklore, whom many ballads were written about.

About the movie, the sceneries were realistically made, convincing the viewer of that we were watching the England and France of the 13th Century.

Although some of the fighting scenes were exaggerated, we cannot forget that we are talking about a character from the folklore, that probably could in some verses "kill three men with but one arrow".

The fighting and the plot was intriguing, and kept me awake for most of the movie.

But I think that other viewers may not be as fascinated as I am, since I am weak for movies whose timeline are placed before the 18th century.

The music wasn't anything extraordinary, but still not that bad. It added to the movie but wasn't that memorable (thinking of Gladiator here, which had a couple of amazing scores).

All of all, I think that any Robin Hood fan should go watch this movie. It's pretty consistent with the stories of Robin Hood.

And also, if you liked Gladiator, go watch this movie, you won't be disappointed.

Or if you hate Robin Hood, you can always watch him and his gang getting their asses get kicked in Shrek.

Absence

I have to give my deepest apologies about my absence in the blogosphere.

Even though I don't have many readers, I hope that the few ones will be interested in this update.

I have had a hectic year since my last update.

With a course that I am repeating due to petty circumstances, I have had alot of exams and credits, and since it's the end of the semester, I have had to put all my time into studying.

But fear not, my reviews of the Star Wars movies will keep coming, and also some more movie reviews.

I will also try to add some of my thoughts of other things, so vent off the pressure and thoughts that build up in me everyday.

See, I think too much, everyday. I think too much for my own good.

It's good in a way; I will make an excellent doctor one day. I will never miss any detail about the patient. Hell, I have already as a med student found three symptoms in three patients which the doctors have missed, one of them who were essential for the treatment.

But when it comes to my personal life, it's an issue. I care too much sometimes, and that makes me so tired many days.

I am not a person that demands that if I do something good for someone, that they should do it back, but in the same time, I don't understand how people can be so selfish sometimes, even when it comes to minor favors.

But in the end, as I am content in being the man I have become, I have no worries in the world.

I help out because I think that it's the best thing to do in my conscience, and I do the things I do because of that it feels right. No one will ever make me believe that I am wrong.

At Thursday, I bought myself a bottle of Scotch, and a fine cigar. I am a man that likes his beer, but loves his Scotch. Once a week I put some ice in a glass, and pour some Scotch in it.

I let it stay for around 5 minutes, and then I start to slowly drink it.

It's not about getting drunk. It's about feeling the flavors of the Scotch in your mouth, trying to feel the different tastes. Every Scotch is different.

Sure Chivas Regal, Jim Beam, and the Famous Grouse are good Scotch, but I like to buy less known labels, or just ones with obscure titles and try them out.

My favorite so far is Old Smuggler, a fine Scotch indeed, with a smoky flavor, and it's very pleasant to swallow. It doesn't have that cheap Scotch flavor. It's also in the cheaper price class, and I guess that it's the labeling that scares people away.

So far I can say from my experiences, that Jack Daniel's is a piece of shit Scotch, and the only reason why it's so famous is because of the marketing and ads that are everywhere.

The price is too high on this Scotch that is too overpriced.

Anyhow, about Thursday, I snipped the end of the cigar, and lit it with a match (remember, on a machine rolled cigar, snip it in a "v" form, on a hand rolled one, snip it around the circumference at the end, and never use gasoline or gas fueled lighters, their gas will contaminate the taste of the cigar. Often it's not a "piece of shit cigar", but your own mistake that the cigar tastes bad).

The combination of the cigar and the Scotch was wonderful.

I sat there, on a comfy chair in my balcony, with some good music on, with my Scotch and my cigar, and I have never been so relaxed in my life.

I didn't think one thought, I just restarted by brain. It was better than a night's sleep, I tell ya.

And another thing: If you ever think that you aren't capable of something, think about the 13 year old Jordan Romero, that in his life has climbed up Mount Kilimanjaro, and now recently, Mount Everest. His goal is to have climbed up the Seven Summits.

If he can do something that extraordinary, maybe you can too.

Reading stories like this reminds me that maybe you can pursue your dreams to their fullest, as far as you have your heart and mind with you all the time.

Have a weak moment, and you risk of losing it all.

The one with Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

I have enough time now to write a review about Star Wars Episode 1: The Phanom Menace.

To start with, I am writing this review not as a fan (because of that I am not that much of a fan for the moment), but as a normal person, watching this movie for the second time. So there won't be any fanwanking nor any unhealthy bursts of anger. Well, almost. You'll see what I mean later.

Let me just state something from the beginning, since this movie is the first movie to be released in over 20 years since Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, you can instantly see the changes regarding CGI, and special effects.

Truth is, that there is only one single scene in this movie that there are no special effects added, and it's in a scene where there is steam coming out of some pipes.

So let's start the review!

We start with our two Jedi knights, Obi-Wan and Qui-gon (with Obi Wan still being a Padawan), being sent to negotiate over a blockade that has occured over the Planet Naboo.

Whilst being there, they get attacked, and find out that they have to take Queen Amidala of Naboo to a safer place.

They escape into the planet, where they find Jar Jar Binks. I will lash out on him later, don't worry.

They manage to take themselves to the princess, and when they all try to flee, a part of their ship is damaged.

They land on the planet Tatooine, where they search for spare parts, a certain one that is expensive. They go to a shop, where they meet young Anakin Skywalker, a slave-boy who helps out in the shop. They also find out that their republican currency is worthless there, so they are stranded on the planet.

Anakin offers them to stay at his place, and they find out that he has built his own podracer, and eventually they make a deal with the owner of the spare-part shop that if Anakin wins, they will take boy with them, and also the spare part for the ship.

If they lose, they will have to give away their ship and also the podracer.

Why do they want Anakin then? Well, because of his blood containing lots of chylomicrons (if I remember the name correctly), meaning that he has an abnormally high amount of the Force inside of him. Simply, Anakin could be the "chosen one", who is supposed to gain balance to the force.

But something has bugged the crap out of me, it's clear that Luke Skywalker is the chosen one, and that he is the one bringing balance to the force when he takes care of the Sith, but I'll ramble about that in my review of Episode VI.

So, Anakin wins the race, and they all leave. They decide to fight the blockade by force by taking control over Naboo, and via uniting with Jar Jar's people, and we witness a long battle where Anakin somehow gets into a Tie Fighter and kicks ass, and Obi Wan and Qui-gon fight Darth Maul.

In the end everything goes fine, and Anakin starts his training to become a Jedi, and during the movie he becomes friends with the princess( known as the servant "Padme" for most of the movie).

Overall, the movie contained too much talk and less action. To rephrase Elvis: "A little less conversation, a little more action, please!".

Although the introduction into the world of the Jedi was very interesting, it could be too much talk about politics and other unimportant stuff.

About the special effects: Were they that necessary? The "previous" movies didn't contain that much effects, and they did fine, and they looked more realistic.

Some of the Jedi fights, like when they jumped looked too unrealistic.

About the music: it was absolutely wonderful, and they managed to mix in some of the tunes from the latter half of the Episodes into some good Star Wars-esque tones.

The actors were well chosen, and Liam Neeson was very convincing in his role as Qui-gon, and Evan McGregor was as usual very good as the young Obi-Wan, playing the young and unexperienced Jedi very well.

Natalie Portman altered really well between her roles as the servant Padme and Queen Amidala, and being already a seasoned actress (by the age of 15, she had already played the role of someone's wife), she nailed it, simply.

We did get to see Samuel L. Jackson in the Jedi council, and speaking with Yoda, and it made me to look forward to Episode II.

Jake Lloyd played his role as Anakin Skywalker well, but there wasn't that much of a "wow" feeling there. He did his part, and it was adequate.

I have to note that when I first watched this movie, I didn't know that this was a prequel to the original trilogy, so I got confused. But watching this another time I perfectly understood, and felt dumb.

About Jar Jar Binks, what the hell, George Lucas? The only thing he did was being in the way and speaking like a retard? He was mostly a retard through the whole movie, just to be suddenly promoted as a general, and what's even worse [spoiler] he represents Queen Amidala in the second movie, and he seems seasoned and smart there! [/spoiler] What the hell!

He seems to be that character that you can just put wherever you want, like some kind of straight opposite of a Deus Ex Machina.

Well, overall, I would give the movie a 6/10, but that's mostly because of the plot and the CGI, but the actors and the scenery were good.

See you later with a review of Episode II!

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Picture source: http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Star-Wars-Episode-I-Poster-Card-C10227317.jpeg

The one with my arrival

So, I am finally home. I can simply say that it's sweet to be home. But the trip wasn't all easy.

Let me make a list:

1) My 8 kilo bag and 8 kilo handbag felt like they weighed 15 kilos each.

2) I had to say goodbye to my girlfriend and I'll miss her ALOT. I really love her. She is my soulmate.

3) My brother didn't come with me, and I can't wait to see him and play some games on the Gamecube and overdose on a Kebab roll with him.

4) Too many people from my University's division were there. Luckily I sat at a bus with only a few of them there.

5) The plane was one hour delayed. When I and another friend, who was to take the same plane, went to check which gate we were going to go to, we found out that the plane is now on schedule, although it hadn't been announced. With 20 minutes to go through the security and finding the gate, we got there just in time. Assholes.

When the plane landed, I got picked up by dad. We went home and I had breakfast, mom had made pancakes. Awesome. They were delicious.

Then I slept until dad picked me up for my doctor's appointment, and I had some lab tests done and tomorrow I have to bring in some of my feces in a tube so that they can rule whether I have stuff living inside me and eating my nutrition.

Later on, we had lunch with my sister and her boyfriend, and it was really fun with many laughs.

Tonight I am going with them both to a theme park to walk around and to enhance our Christmas spirit, so it's going to be fun!

Now I have to take another nap. I am exhausted, in a good way.

The one with the vacation

Hi y'all. Today was my last day at school before Christmas.
I have packed my stuff, and cleaned up my apartment, and I'll go and have a shower soon and then I'll go to my girlfriend to await the departure to the bus station.

This semester has been OK, although I feel that they tried to cram in too much stuff into a schedule with not that much time.
But overall I'm content.

Regarding that blood test, everything was fine, but now the doc suspects Ischemic Bowel Disease or a parasite infection from the time I had blocks in Pediatrics.
Oh, Pediatrics, I hate you even more now.
It's probably not IBD, that's absurd.

Aaw, this baby is cute...just wait until it SCREAMS for half an hour and makes you SICK!

So, now I'm going to go through my stuff, and then jump into the shower.

I would recommend the following blog for you if you understand Swedish: http://doktorreflux.blogg.se
It's a really funny blog.
If you don't understand Swedish, try this link, which is a translation in English: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://doktorreflux.blogg.se/&sl=sv&tl=en

I'll return soon with a review of Star Wars Episode I, and later one of Star Wars Episode II, all up 'til Episode VI!

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Picture source: http://www.uvpediatrics.com/images/h_img_05.jpg

The one with all the swamp

I am currently too swamped to make a long post here, too swamped to even watch a movie, so I have to wait for a week to make another post!
Going to have some blood tests made tomorrow, since I have felt tired and weak for the last two weeks. Had a low blood glucose today, even though I just recently have had a meal. Yikes.

See you soon.