Short stories: Christmas

“I’m uh, I’m admittedly confused,” Nate confessed to his father. “What’s the deal Ebenezer; what’s going on?”

Twas Christmas morn and Nate had just come from the living room, where a large conspicuous void under the Christmas tree

occupied a space that was until recently a large conspicuous assemblage of presents. Whether or not the still-empty stockings were hung by the chimney with care seemed peripheral; the Grinch’s coup had been an unmitigated success.

“I was just in Holiday Mission Control

with your children, the children of your children, and a number of your life-long friends who have heretofore had no occasion to question your neural wherewithal or sanity.” Nate continued. “But based on the particular, er, “context,” of the Christmas

you’ve ostensibly engineered, you’ll forgive me if I suggest that it does seem a tad unorthodox that you so enthusiastically insisted that your many kith and kin congregate in a home that Santa himself could not locate. Where are all the presents that were there last night?”

Nate’s father cut to the chase. “The presents are at the orphanage. Say Nathan, what does Christmas mean to you?”

Nate flipped.

His mind flashbacked to many a similar Christmas “surprise” from his youth. “No way!” he thought to himself. “This Artful Codger did not just invite everyone dear to him to his home on Christmas just to give them an object lesson on how they need to be “over” the materialism of Christmas. He’s pulled this stunt before, but that was just with us kids. The CIO is here with her husband, dad’s golfing buddies, the bishop, the assistant superintendent of schools; to them a cheap trick like this is either surpassingly phony or cause for them to suggest he not work so hard. Dad, this time you’ve gone too far.”

“You are NOT doing this to them Pop, not now!” Nate erupted. “Now my own unassailable need for an Optimus Prime may not be quite what it used to be, but you have some very young grandchildren in there who may not appreciate or benefit from the timing of whatever life lesson it is you’re trying to promulgate. If you wanna tell them that Santa dropped the ball because Blitzen sprained his Achilles or Santa’s sleigh’s GPS conked out, that’s fine, but don’t you beat four generations of consanguinity and friendship over the head with your proprietary views on the True Meaning of Christmas.”

Nate’s father repeated his query. “Nathan, what does Christmas mean to you?”

“I swear, Dad. I mean, as the comptroller of your

 

Movie reviews: The Transformers (2007) – Part 75

This movie rose way above my expectations. Being a fan of the original cartoon from the 80’s, I was a bit skeptical on the quality of the movie, and how well it would be portrayed. Too many times have I gone to see movies portraying comic book/cartoons only to come out rather irritated at the 9 bucks and 2 hours wasted on it. It seems like these kinds of movies are overdone and oversold with the sole purpose on making money based on the hype.

Despite all this, Transformers captured my (as well as the entire audience’s) attention. First of all, the acting, namely from Shia Labouf, was superb. His role as Sam could not have been cast better. The underlying comedic aspect of the movie involving his relationship with a girl, as well as the Transformers, did not deter for even a second from the genius action and edge-of-your-seat thrills throughout the entire show. There is no surprise at the love of these characters, and the fact that Optimus Prime got a round of excited applause at his entrance. The special effects were tailored very well and did not overpower the dialogue or plotline at all. There weren’t so many explosions and camera angle changes that your brain was slow to keep up. It’s a well balance mix of comedy, drama, friendship, action, and old fashioned good guy vs. bad guy action.

Judging from the standing ovation the movie got at its closure, I don’t think many people (if any) were disappointed in this rendition of a beloved classic.

 

Movie reviews: The Transformers (2007) – Part 62

If you born between the late 60’s and the mid 90’s, Transformers is the best movie ever made. Also we must not forget the original cartoon was a phenomenal new type of animation in the early 80’s and the newer versions such as “Beast Wars” and “Transformers Energon” as well as mini-movies such as “The Ultimate Battle”, kept the dream alive and opened up interest in younger generations of fans. Never in my life have I seen such seamless integration of live action and C.G.I. Yes we all know computer graphics have been around for years and that they keep getting better and better but up till now every other movie with good graphics was just that, a movie in which the visuals were merely good. Now they have all been knocked down a couple notches and nothing is in second place, for the time being. I will admit that the story needed work but I know no one could have done any better then Michael Bay considering that the transformers movie was the first in a series of no less than three and as all firsts go it had to be an introduction of the main characters and their reasons for being on earth so that those moviegoers that have never even heard of “Optimus Prime” or “Megatron” would get to know them and catch up with the rest of us who have had transformers as a part of our lives since birth or at least childhood or even young adulthood, hence the 3 decades I mentioned at the beginning. Despite the basic storyline it is still the best movie ever made until we see the sequel.

 

Iron madness -Optimus prime -Psytrance-

 

Movie Leader Optimus Prime

 

Movie reviews: The Transformers (2007) – Part 13

Transformers – $8

Transformers is everything it needed to be, action packed, fun, childish and quite funny.

I was worried when I heard Michael Bay was making the live action version of my favorite childhood cartoon, as I find Bay normally sacrifices story for image and leaves his characters poorly developed and with little to do but look good on screen. Transformers may have been just the right project for Bay however as no one can honestly expect this movie – based on a cartoon which was based on a toy – to tell an epic story or have a moving dramatic back story. Bay provides his audience with just what the cartoon always did, funny dialogue and over the top action.

I’m sure some purists will find the modernization of the Transformers too much to take. I thought it was appropriate and as cheesy as the GMC product shots were the movie makers stayed true to the essence of each character. For me any inconsistencies with the original were overlooked as soon as I heard the familiar sound of Optimus Prime’s voice in the opening narration.

I enjoyed Transformers immensely, it was great fun to watch these toys come to life again in a live action movie with some of the best CGI I’ve ever seen. This movie will win no acting or writing awards but if you have ever been a fan of this implausible story then you shouldn’t have any trouble being entertained by the big screen version.

Watch for Shia LaBeouf’s career to take off as well, he carries much of the story, and especially the comedy in Transformers, playing the movie’s main character Sam. Sam is the young man whose Father unwittingly buys him an Autobot from a used car lot.

Overall this is not a perfect movie nor is it a movie for those who don’t like senseless action and were never fans of the Transformers. It is however wonderful fun and worth seeing. I’m sure there will now be a whole new generation of Transformers fans that will finally understand what all those 30 year old geeks like me are talking about.

I put Transformers on my ‘Watch It’ list and give it a value of $8.

For more movie reviews by this author visit www.watchitmovies.blogspot.com

 

Transformers Animated Deluxe Cybertron Optimus Prime Review

 

Letterman – Optimus Prime Top Ten List

 

Transformers Animated Voyager Class Optimus Prime Toy Review

 

Movie reviews: The Transformers (2007) – Part 34

Movie: TRANSFORMERS

Release Date: July 2007

Rating: PG-13

Studio: DreamWorks

LOWDOWN

The action figures made popular by Hasbro made their live big-screen debut July 2007 under direction of Michael Bay. The plot’s simple. An alien species of robots come to earth looking for a cube that contains the life of the universe. One group of aliens, the Decepticons want to use the cube for evil while the Autobots want to use it for good; or destroy the cube before evil can use it. The Autobots enlist the help of young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) who unknowingly possesses a map to the Cube given to him by his late grandfather. Ultimately the movie leads the Decepticons and the Autobots into a fight for power with humans as the bargaining chip.

DIG

I grew up with the TRANSFORMERS, so I have been anxiously awaiting this movie since I saw its first trailer in July 2006. The movie, taking place in the present, was well directed and loads of fun to sit through. I am not typically a Michael Bay fan but this movie made me one. The art that he put into directing such an epic is astounding. The special effects blew my mind. There was tons of it, it was well done and the fast-paced actions scenes weren’t very choppy either.

I was surprised with the acting. I’m not necessarily a Shia LaBeouf fan but he came across well in this movie. His love interest, played by Megan Fox, an amateur to the big screen, does a good job too.

It was cool to hear the voices for the Transformers in loud stereo. Michael Bay wanted to have the original TRANSFORMERS do their voices. Peter Cullen, the original Optimus Prime was cast into the movie, however the original Megatron, Frank Welker, was replaced by Hugo Weaving because his voice had aged so much since the TRANSFORMERS shows.

There is a moment that stuck out for me in the movie. It’s a scene where Optimus Prime is talking to Sam and says that he is going to have to fight Megatron. If it looks like he is about to lose the fight, Sam must insert the cube (of power) into Optimus Prime’s chest. This act, because of the power, will kill Optimus Prime but it will also destroy the evil that Megatron is hoping to be able to control. Crazy huh. Optimus Prime is willing to lay down his life for the sake of humankind.

SPARK

Would you ever lay down your life for a friend?

What do you think Jesus was thinking as he was being led to the cross knowing that he was going to lay down his life for all of humanity?

FINAL THOUGHTS

To be completely honest I can’t think of anything that was wrong with this movie. Those that grew up on TRANSFORMERS will love it. Those that have not will become addicted to it. It’s fun for the whole fam. What are you waiting for, go out and see it.

 

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