Joe Reviews: Thor the Dark World

Once upon a time I was a film critic. Due to the flow of life I am sadly no longer a film critic, which is a shame because after seeing Thor the Dark World all I want to do is tell people about this film and analyze what happened to give us…

…that…

So without further ado, I am reviewing Thor the Dark World.

When people ask me how Thor the Dark World was I find myself having trouble answering. Was it a good film? I guess, I was entertained. Was it a bad film? Well, no. The best I can say is that it’s a weird film. A very weird film.

The plot takes off from both the end of Thor and Avengers where Loki is locked up on Asgard for trying to invade Earth, and Thor’s love interest in the form of Natalie Portman is hanging out on Earth still broken up that Thor had to return to Asgaard and never returns her calls.Here's where we get my first problem with the film: According to Portman's wacky friend she's been spending most of her time moaping around and eating ice cream, the typical stuff women do in movies when they're heart is broken. THen later Portman tells Thor that she hadn't seen him in two years, so apparently Portman's been so emotionally distraught over the guy she met and dated over a weekend is never coming back. 

That's not romantic people, that's an unhealthy obsession. 

Anyway, we find out through the means of flashback that an evil race of dark elves once tried to destroy all light in the universe with their magic space goo and that the leader of these space elves is going to try and do it again, because now is the time of the great alignment between worlds where they’ll all be connected and he can destroy all light easily but then Natalie Portman accidentally absorbs the goo and Thor has to get it out of her before it kills her…

The film’s biggest problem is the plot.

The problem here is that the film is trying to keep both a magical Lord of the Rings feel while at the same time tie that to the science fiction Marvel universe stuff. I know it’s generally believed that magic isn't real and that what many considered magic in the past was actually just science, but trying to explain stuff that we would call magic now using science is confusing at best and annoying at worst. ***Spoilers*** We spend a majority of time in the first two acts on Asgard and other non-earth worlds and at the beginning of the third act we get back to Earth for a showdown with the dark elf guy when we meet up with Portman’s buddies who conveniently tell Portman that not only have they invented devices to stop the elves but that they know exactly where to find them because the ancient people built some sort of map. This is explained faster than it took you to read this sentence. Then off the heroes go to have this wacky Benny Hill style climax with the bad guys involving world travel and teleporting. These scenes have no context and were barely built up in the beginning of the movie, so the climax just feels like the film went off its anti-psychotics.

For what it’s worth, besides the mess of a plot, most everything else in the film works. The characters are fun if not incredibly deep, the dialogue has some funny moments as well as some serious stuff, and the scenes of Asgard and the other Norse worlds are epic and spectacular. We also either get treated to fanservice or disgusting pandering, depending on which side your on, to both Loki being Loki and Thor running around for three minutes for no reason whatsoever with his shirt off. 

At the end of the day, Thor the Dark World is not the worst movie I've ever seen, far from it, my complaints is that this is the first Marvel movie I’ve walked out of not eager to see it again anytime soon. I still say see it once if for nothing else than for the pure nonsense it delivers, but this is not a film that wants to feed your super hero need, or even really what else the Marvel universe has to offer. This is a film that wants to have fun, almost to spoofing levels, and where it fails in overall plot it makes up for in everything else. So check it out, it can’t hurt, right?

-JOE

If you've

seen the film write in the comments below your thoughts on it.

Learning from the "Other"

There they are.

They may wave a rainbow flag.  They may wear heavy eyeliner, dark make-up, and black clothes.  Maybe they sit quietly to themselves, read books, and wear nose piercings.  Maybe they smoke or drink beer.  They may not be mormon or they may have not been to church in years.

Who are they?

Sometimes we may think of them as the other.  We may not see them as children of our heavenly father but some sort of other species all together.  We may love them but from afar.  Many times we are afraid of them, whoever "they" are.

I'm guilty as anyone as judging others outside of our cultural comfort zone.  Even with my views that I feel challenge the mormon culture social norms, I'll still be afraid of others.  I'll be afraid of being hurt by their opinions and lose myself to inactivity.

I did something different this week.

I thought, "I know where I stand on things.  Would it really hurt to get someone else's perspective?  Am I really afraid of being corrupted?  Isn't to love someone to know them?"

So I read two articles this week.  One was a blog post by a gay gentlemen and the other was a blog post on a male feminist ally.  I was afraid of what I would read even with the confidence I had in my stand in my own opinions.  Funny enough, I actually learned something.  And you want to know what?  I did come to have a feeling of love for these authors just by stepping out of my comfort zone.

I didn't agree with everything I read but I found a lot of common ground with these authors.  The gay author, more or less, argued and warned against codependency in family relationships--especially in romantic ones.  I thought this was actually a great thing to talk about since it is rampant in our society.  The feminist ally talked about things that can be done to become an ally to women.  He talked about great stuff like not objectifying women.  I was afraid that we wouldn't agree on views of masculinity but I found that he had many of the same views that I did.

I learned from someone else's opinion.  I didn't really change my own opinions.  If anything, I actually felt like I was strengthened in them.  I saw how valuable a different perspective was and then I realized how valuable my opinion is.

When Joe and I started this blog 20 months ago, I didn't know what it was going to be about.  I knew I wanted to talk about the silly geeky thoughts I had during Sunday School.  I knew I wanted to talk about geek culture and mormons in geek culture.  As I've written posts for this blog I've come to see how passionate I am about Mormon culture as well.

The LDS culture is very xenophobic.  I don't think we even realize it.  We place such a huge emphasis on the family and we are all about protecting the family.  The thing about this is that fear is a huge part of it.  We are so afraid of anything outside of our bubble that it prevents us from doing missionary work and even living commandments.  Yes, we need resiliency to be faithful but we would be missing out on learning so much if we didn't step outside of that comfortable bubble we've come accustomed to.

This goes both ways too.  Many less active or inactive brothers and sisters still have a very strong relationship to the savior and testimony.  They may have been hurt before and left the church not so much because of the doctrine but because of the culture.  They may be afraid to come back to church because they don't want to be hurt again.  For many of these brothers and sisters, their emotional wounds can go very deep and be very traumatic.  They need our support and love even if they don't come back to church.

Think of the sons of Mosiah.  They went on a mission to the Lamanites.  The Lamanite people had a culture vastly different from the Nephites and had developed a new religion.  If they had always thought of the Lamanites as the "other" they would have never gone to their countries to preach the gospel.  The sons of Mosiah took a very dangerous risk but because they did, thousands came to the gospel.

There may be gays that support gay marriage.  There may be feminists that support safe sex to be taught in schools in addition to abstinence.  There may be a democrat in your ward.  (Gasp!)  But these children of God are not some other species.  They are your brothers and sisters.  Hear them out.  Listen to what they have to say.  Have lunch with them.  Invite them to a game night.  Get to know them and you will love them.

"But Stephen, what about our children?!" some of you may say.  Exactly!  What about our children.  Do we want to raise them to be bigots and make fun of anything different?  Do we want to raise them to be swayed with anything new and to be seduced by wicked traditions and lack resiliency in the outside world?  My cousins were raised in New York City.  They are some of the most loving and accepting individuals I know.  I've trusted them with knowledge about myself before telling the rest of my family.

My younger sister and brother didn't have many rules growing up.  In some ways it made me a little undisciplined but it also showed me that my parents truly trusted me.  They taught us correct principles and we governed ourselves.  It's a scary thought to expose our children to environments and peoples that seem strange to us.  To me, it is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children and I'm thankful for this gift given to me by my parents.

Let me conclude by saying that I'm thankful to have different people in my life.  I see these beautifully imperfect souls who remind me of my own humanity.  They humble me with much I don't know and have given me a gift to serve them with the knowledge I can share.

-Stephen

Joe's Board Game Reviews-Bananagrams

I review another board game... And Stephen taught me how to embed videos! :D
-JOE

National Novel Writing Month

Every year November is National Novel Writing Month. I have failed at participating. Oh I start, but I have yet to complete it. This year, on the other hand, I am intent on finishing. So I am using every free moment I can grasp to get this completely knew and awesome and idea in a Word document. As of yesterday, I was on track to finish. But now I'm behind again. And I'm taking precious time to say hi. Oh and here's a pic of an adorable baby elephant.

Alien abductions are involuntary, but probings are scheduled.

It's Okay to Ask for Help

Hey friends,

Today's post will be short.  I talked to my manager today because I've been performing great at work but have been consistently late.  (Not professional on my part.)  We talked about it and I told my boss how I've been doing emotionally and that it got into my sleep and effecting my studies.  After talking with her, she reassured me that if I ever needed help to simply ask.

So I asked for a day off this next week to catch up in the heavy work load I have.

It made me realize that I don't ask for help very often.  Sometimes I'll hold on to a silly belief that I need to be stronger and independent.  Really, being independent doesn't mean you don't take care of yourself.  It's okay to ask for what you want or need.  It's okay to ask for a break.

So if you're having a hard time, ask for support.  It will give you the help you need and someone else an opportunity to serve.

Love and Peace!

-Stephen

Joe's Board Game Reviews: Dominion

It's Wednesday, and you know what's easier to do than write a full post when you have two jobs and go to school full time? Film yourself geek out over board games! So check out my latest board game review of Dominion!
-JOE
Check out my review below! :D

Halloween Tunes!

Happy Halloween everyone!

For today, I thought I would share 5 awesome songs for Halloween.  These are some tunes I love to listen to because of how scary or moody they may be.  You may find that they are great songs to play in the background of your Halloween party.  They are in no particular order.  There are some songs that are givens like Thriller by Michael Jackson or the Ghostbusters Theme that does not show up on this list.  Of course I'm not going to put those classic hits here.  They're classics!  These are tunes that may not immediately be thought of but are pretty much perfect for Halloween.  So, here we go...

5 -- Disturbia (Radio Edit) Rhianna

This song was really popular a few years ago.  I really like it because the song in and of itself is written to just sound disturbing.  The music video does some really cool stuff to fit the scary vibe too.  (Though I won't share it here because of some immodest dress.)  The irony is that most people don't even think of this song when making their Halloween playlist but I think it's essential.  It's scary and got a great beat.

4 -- No One Believes Me Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi performed this for the Fright Night remake that came out a year or two ago.  This one has a steady beat and feeling of impending doom.  Kid Cudi does a great job with brooding type of music as seen in the Hunger Games soundtrack.

 

3 -- Came Back Haunted Nine Inch Nails

This is a newer song that kinda has the same feeling as Kid Cudi's.  Trent Reznor of the Nine Inch Nails is probably one of my favorite musicians.  He can create really atmospheric songs that also really connect with the listener.  I love his cover of Immigrant Song that he did with Karen O for the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie.

2 -- This is Halloween Marylin Manson

That's right.  Disney got Marilyn Manson of all people to cover the famous song from the Nightmare Before Christmas.  But really, could they have gotten anyone better for this?  Manson has done a ton of questionable and offensive material so it may seem weird that family friendly Disney would let something like this fly by.  For me, I actually think it's great when an artist is encouraged to do something a bit more wholesome.  Anyway, Manson's cover is just so grungy and devilish I can't not include it in my Halloween playlist.

1 -- Do the Hippogriff The Weird Sister

The Weird Sisters are a hit band from the Wizarding World.  They actually even performed at the Yule Ball dance at Hogwarts one time.  Thought this song isn't scary by any means it belongs in any Halloween playlist when the dark and dreary is too much.

There you have it.  Some good songs to add to your Halloween playlist.  Thanks for visiting us today.  Be safe out there.

Happy Halloween!

-Stephen

Joe's Board Game Reviews: Carcassonne

Hay folks!
I figured I'd brush the dust off my webcam and give videos another shot. Tell me what you think and if there's anything else you'd like us to make a video about.
Thanks for watching! :D
-JOE


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Candy Box 2

So, I was in the chat room of my Guild Wars 2 guild, Mormon Batallion, when someone simply messaged a link 'http://www.candybox2.net/'.  I clicked on it, and was presented with a very simple game.  Every second, I got a candy.  I thought it was cool.  I didn't feel like eating all my candies so I waited, and soon started off on the most fantastic journey and probably one of the most enjoyable games I've playing in a long time.

I don't want to spoil too much, but the game is basically one giant puzzle/RPG.  And it feels like a puzzle/RPG done right.  There are many different secrets, strategies, ways to approach things.  Overall, it is a very enjoyable and entertaining game.  If you have a few minutes to spare, take a look at it, and don't forget to save! (I did a text save to make sure I didn't loose anything).

Remember, eating candy is good for your health.

Enjoy!

Top 5 Reasons Why Mormons are Drawn to Dr. Who

November marks 50^th years since the original episodes of the time traveling show Dr. Who premiered in the United Kingdom. Though it did stop for a while, it has returned in a modernized version of the series that is still going strong.  The secret is having a main character who can regenerate after he is fatally wounded and comes back looking completely different. If one actor is done with the role, another one can pick it right back up.

Since moving to Utah, I’ve found that many of my LDS friends were huge fans of the show. I hadn’t watched a single of the hundreds of episodes, and I actually started with the newer version. It took a season or two, but now I’m a card-carrying “Whovian.”

As I’ve watched the series, I thought “This is a pretty great series for LDS families.” And I think there are many reasons for that, so here are my top 5.  

1. It can be suspenseful and scary without resorting to buckets of gore and dismembered limbs. (They can even make giant pepper shakers with plungers sticking out of them seem scary)

2. You can dress up as a different Doctor for Halloween for 13 years (and counting)  using stuff you can probably find at D.I.

3.  They keep the language to a pretty PG level. (Though I don’t understand all of their British expressions.)

4. The Doctor always tries to solve his problems non-violently, tackling things with no more than a (sonic) screwdriver.

5.  We always sing about if we could hie to Kolob. He could probably actually do it. In fact, he goes many places and times, so that the show is an interesting blend of science fiction and historical fiction.  You might actually learn something!

If you want to celebrate 50 years of the doctor, the BBC is broadcasting a special 50^th anniversary episode in November, even going so far as to showing it in some movie theaters. You can find the closest one to where you live here: http://bbc.in/NorthAmericaCinemasTDOTD

If you are just getting started, you can watch Dr. Who on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime.

Allons y!