This is a blog that between 2011-2021 dealt with reviews, and from here on it is the home of all my projects. Posts are going to be more random, but the comment section is always open. Check out the links for how it begun, and see how I ended my ten year run on the right panel. Look around, leave a comment, and enjoy my content: I made it with all my heart!
I decided to write about a couple of cartoons that I think are massively underrated, despite the wonderful world they presented us. Growing up, I fell blessed to have had these stories teaching me valuable lessons.
Jim Hawkins, a boy longing for adventure, embarks on a trip to find the mysterious treasure planet of a famous pirate. Along the way, Jim has to learn that what he had was perhaps more valuable than he thought. And that even those who seem to be good men can turn to evil when blinded by the reflection of gold. But all the riches in the world are nothing compared to the people and love Jim has in his life already.
If I remember correctly, my brother and I saw this movie in the theater, and already then, barely 11 years old that I was, I was mesmerized by the visuals. I loved this story as a kid, I remember the Muppet Treasure Island movie, and how I was scared but intrigued at the same time. I do believe that it was this tale that taught me that money doesn't matter. Essentially, a man wasted his entire life looking for a treasure that he thought he deserved and... I think we do this on an everyday basis. All of us who believe that we need to have a reason to be alive... I don't think we do. We put a great deal of pressure on the idea of being part of something larger, or at least, wishing to be part of something larger. Many of us have an insuppressible fear of not having any meaning and when you look at this story, you realize a lot of things. First, we take for granted the good things around us. Let it be material wealth or our families. Second, by focusing on what is to come, we forget where we are. The present alone is something that should be valued, and it isn't.
Our jobs, schools, relationships, even the simple pleasure of having a cup of coffee or tea is something that becomes rushed. We deem people lazy when they lay back and enjoy the little things, while I can tell you for a fact that those are the people who are alive through every moment of their life. And third, money is good, trust me, in today's world especially, when you want to have a family or just a dog, it is good to be financially secure. But we also live in a world where harder jobs (e.g. teaching) is not as respected as pushing numbers in an excel table. This leaves a lot of us running after numbers in our bank accounts. And I blame society for that, but I also know already that getting that number that will always make you secure is virtually impossible, unless you win the lottery. So I for one don't want to run after treasures. And that is the lesson that this movie has taught me. Not only does it have a great cast of voices, and a mesmerizing design, but it also teaches great lessons. Of course, the story comes from the novel Treasure Island (1883), written by Robert Louis Stevenson, but this is one of the best adaptations out there. Unfortunately, it is massively underrated.
Watch it? Honestly, I believe the main reason why I am offended by the live-action iterations and by the unnecessary cult following that Frozen has, is that I always believed - before the internet ruined me - that every single Disney movie is successful. Now, that I look at the numbers I don't understand them... but I will try and talk about those underrated movies, because they are much better than you'd think.
I finally came around to seeing it. In Hungary they only showed it in original voice for one week... which is infuriating, so it had to be pushed off. But thanks to the Oscar season there were early releases out there and I could finally see it!
Just as Miles Morales receives his powers from a radioactive spider, Kingpin opens up a portal that sucks other spider people into his universe, and he is no longer alone. All the reincarnations of Spider-Man that you know of appear in his home, and he has a chance to learn from them, instead of having to figure out what this responsibility that is bestowed upon him means. Of course, in order to become Spider-Man, he alone can take that leap of faith.
I am sure you have read hundreds of reviews about how great this movie is, and I can only add to that, because they don't lie. What I loved was the fact that this was, overall, a Spider-Man movie, just like all the others, but it was enveloped into something we have never seen before: admittance that Peter Parker is not the only one out there. I am sure, based on the memes I have seen out there, people were really fed up with all the reboots... and well, Peter Parker has several personalities thanks to the hundreds of writers that approached him. Because of this, to me all the actors who have played him so far were great in their own way. But... I think we have seen enough of him. If anything, Luke Cage as well as Black Panther showcased that we are ready for heroes that are not necessarily white (or male for that matter...) And this movie presents us a wonderful Spider-Man who became who he is thanks to all the other iterations of him. And for us to understand what that means, we are shown all the variants of him. For those out there, who didn't know, making crossovers between spider people is nothing new, but I am glad that they decided to go with it, and through this medium instead of the live action. We are ready and we want more!
Watch it? Definitely. The story is wonderful, the jokes are outstanding, and the animation is simply breathtaking. To be honest, Marvel cartoons have nothing on DC animations, and it is also a genre they tend to ignore. Of course, now that the live action universe is thriving I am not shocked, but perhaps the Oscar win for this movie will yield more like it. At least I hope so!
After hearing about the shooting in Aurora, Illinois, the first image that popped into my head was of Wayne telling me where he is from and where the movie about him and his best friend Garth takes place. Now, I resent America for its gun laws. And I could go into an hour long discussion as to why that is, but instead, I'll just say that they should be ashamed of themselves for feeling that they are better than others when hiding behind the 2nd amendment is so popular...
Moving on from that thought, I have loved and adored these two movies since I can remember, so even if it was a tragic event that reminded me of them, I do wish to write a short but intense review, wishing to bring it to the attention of everyone, who might not know it but definitely should!
Two best friends, Wayne and Garth, are the stars of Wayne's World, a cable show where they rate movies and music. In order to promote themselves and enjoy the best the music industry has to offer, they attend concerts all around, which brings into their life Cassandra, who becomes Wayne's girlfriend. Her quick rise to fame causes some tensions, but ultimately, the kind side of these two adorable idiots saves both Wayne and Cassandra's relationship, and her career. In the second movie, we have similar tensions, except that Wayne has a larger task at hand, as he is visited by the spirit of Jim Morrison, which tells him to put on a big concert.
Wayne's World was originally a Saturday Night Live sketch, which I found out only years later. SNL still has characters that gain enough following to try and turn them into movies. I find that these two are the prime example of why they shouldn't stop with that practice! (The other is Superstar, starring Molly Shannonas Mary Katherine Gallagher! That movie is super funny.) Now, what I love about these movies, is that they are self-aware. Wayne and Garth continuously break the fourth wall, and highlight the weird montage scenes, or the movie clichés that they themselves decide to use to move the story forward. What I also love is that these two best friends have their separate lives too. They might seem like dummies, but Wayne's relationship with Cassandra is very mature, and well, I can't blame Garth for thinking about eating candy all the time, because he still does his part when assigned any job.
The movie highlights great music of its decade, highlights how Wayne and Garth care for that music, and also why it is so important to them. I have to admit that this movie had a great impact on me. I was already a bit older when I watched it, giving it 100% of my attention, and well, it taught me why live music is so great. It helped me go out there and listen to music, sometimes playing in the background too, and not ignore it. My best friend had a band, and every concert I rejoiced to hear them live. There is something wonderful about sharing that experience with everyone else. Yes, admittedly, we all prefer smaller concerts, in our ears, where no one can disturb us as we listen to our favorite songs, but the live version is something that has to be experienced too. And besides this great message... the movies are just effing funny! There is both physical comedy, and puns, and great classic movie parodies, I just... I don't even know where to start to list all the jokes I laugh out loud at every single time I watch them! And I do watch them a lot, as the fall season after summer when we are waiting for Halloween, my sister and I always put on the DVDs and just have the time of our lives over and over again. And they feature music from Queen, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and great covers by Tia Carrere.
Watch them? Please do. I believe the 90s was far greater at making sequels, that Americans might not have loved, but the international audience definitely did. I can think of at least 10 sequels that are better than the originals just on the top of my head. These two movies work so well together, giving you more of exactly what you wanted: great interactions, more jokes, more music!
I thought I already had a favorite, and I did not think that they could make a movie that I would love more than anything I have seen from this universe so far. But it happened. This is now going to be my f*cking favorite Marvel movie of all time.
Vers, resident of planet Kree, finds herself on planet C-53, also known as Earth, where she faces her planet's mortal enemy, the Skulls. She finds out that perhaps she is on the wrong side of a never ending war, and that she has a past with terrans that is worth uncovering.
Before I head it to why I really liked this movie, I need to mention Wonder Woman for a second. You might argue, that DC decided to go and make an all female superhero movie before Marvel did, and although you are technically right, let me ask you, do you know Captain Marvel? And this is the main difference: although we were all happy that WW was not a sexist movie exploiting the famous bathing-suit like dress of the original comic book, she is still one of the most famous comic book characters ever written. The fact that DC went with her was still a safer bet, then how Marvel decided to give a separate movie to a mostly unknown hero outside of the comic book reader community. Nonetheless, taking these two movies into account, we now have two awesome all female superhero movies that can lead the way to other awesome movies showcasing that not only do we want them but we need them.
So now, heading into this movie: I loved her interaction with everyone; I loved how there was no love story whatsoever; how the villains were not apparent but once discovered, where beaten in a complete different way then expected from action movies (moral and just victories all around!). What I loved more than anything is that she had fun! My partner said it, if someone had these powers they would have fun with it, and she did. The very simple but effing important message of the movie was that even if beaten down, girls always get up and keep on going.Carol Danvers did not let anyone beat her down on her planet before, so it makes sense, that she won't let anyone do it in the whole universe. And doing the right thing isn't something that is shoved in your face, nor does she make big speeches: she has a choice and she acts according to her moral code. Honestly, I was happy that we did not have to listen to a talk on responsibility and great powers... she has it, she'll make it work.
The movie had that subtle but terrific sense of humor that we want from the MCU. Not just that, but her on screen chemistry with Nick Fury, who never, ever, questioned the powerful women around him, was just outstanding. The screenwriter deserves all the praise in the world. And on that note, we did get some insight on where Fury came up with his plans and initiatives, but what I loved about him, is that in the beginning he was a beginner cop like everyone else - he wasn't born with the eye-patch. And his faith in Maria Hill was somewhat justified even more. Being finally shown as a team player himself, it is no wonder he wished to coach other heroes.
I mean really, when you think about his character, he would be one of those stuck up executives who doesn't believe in 'heroes', but this movie gives you the insight you always wished for to understand his character.
Finally, and most importantly, every single female character in this movie was just wonderful. The story was devoted to the women pilots in the U.S. Air Force, and they deserve every inch of praise. I can say that they were portrayed with respect and care. One of the major reasons for that is that there were no shots of Captain Marvel's ass, or her boobs, or any kind of sexy poses she could be forced into to, pretending that the audience still needs it... I hope this movie will lead way to other awesome female hero movies, as stated above as well.
Watch it? Please do. This movie is wonderful. It has a great 90s soundtrack - as it is when the story is situated - and it is all songs from my childhood, and I felt alive and part of the story more than I have in other MCU movies. I can't wait to see it again! And see Captain Marvel in Endgame.
And as the beginning of the movie said too, thank you Stan.
Do you have a song, that reminds you of someone and every time you hear it you just cannot shake that time machine that takes you back? ... did you ever have a song that survived that person? Strangely enough, The 1975 had a song on their first album, She Way Out, that I remember connecting to three different people. And even today, the song lives on for me, and I no longer think of everyone when I listen to it, that is how powerful their music is to me. Each line of the lyrics created the details of someone's face in my head, and they faded, as I grew and my heart evolved and the song came with me. If somebody asked, that is my favorite song of all time. I don't know how it can be so powerful to override the emotions in my head, but it is not the only song of this kind from this band...
I cannot help but listen to each of their songs on repeat for days.
The 1975 are an English pop rock band from Manchester, consisting of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matthew "Matty" Healy, lead guitarist Adam Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, and drummer George Daniel. Their choice of name was inspired by a Jack Kerouac beat poetry book. In it, someone dated their notes as the "1st June. The 1975." He said of finding the phrase: "The use of the word 'The' really stuck with me. It was the perfect band name." Since then they had three albums, cooperations with other bands and covers on BBC Radio 1 (which in my humble opinion are far better than the originals...), and with video clips breaking records on Youtube all around.
I first heard them on Conan, in July of 2013, and their album was set to be released in September. They performed Chocolate, which is simply a divine song. I knew they were a modern band, a bit hipster too, but I love bands that are doing songs that sound more like the 80s. That is my favorite era in music, and I like to feel good when I listen to music, and damn, they make me feel good.
Which is funny, because their lyrics are really heavy.
What is amazing to me, is that their lyrics are not really straightforward. I find that is why that one song stuck with me for so long. It was more like poetry, and depending on what we feel, go throw, experience, our reading of a poem can change significantly. They have songs on sex, cheating, loving, break ups, on current political questions and more importantly: on loving yourself. Which I love, because their fan base is not stupid, we have eyes, we have feelings, and sometimes music helps us through the hard things. I am fed up with songs about nothing... I keep showing people their songs because it amazes me how well they catch those real feelings in our hearts that are the hardest to talk about.
"I don't want your body/ But I hate to think about you with somebody else."
"And I'm not trying to stop you, love/ If we're gonna do anything we might as well just fuck."
"The war has been incited/ And guess what, you're all invited."
"Just keep holding their necks and keep selling them sex
It’s better if we keep them perplexed
It's better if we make them want the opposite sex."
"I swear that/ I only called her one time/ Maybe it was two times?"
"It's just you and I, tonight/ Why don't you figure my heart out?"
"I know you're looking for salvation in the secular age/ But girl I'm not your savior."
"You learn a couple things when you get to my age/ Like friends don't lie and it all tastes the same in the dark."
"And we left things to protect my mental health/ But you'll call me when you're bored and you're playing with yourself."
This selection of lyrics was very hard, I actually wanted to quote to you every single song they have, but that might have been too much for a novice... and hey, if you are a fan, I hope you sang the songs whilst reading these lyrics! Overall, you might be jealous at the guy, because girls are in love with him, and you might be into metal or classical music, and that is fine. I don't expect everyone to be in love with this band, but when you can sense a spiritual evolution from the first album to the last, and a change in the video clips, then really, you cannot deny talent. Somebody who has no problem quoting verbatim the current president of the U.S. to showcase through a song what a ridiculous state our world is in right now, is OK in my book.
I am now set on making sure I can see them live, just once in my life.
They came to Hungary once, haven't come back since, but they will this upcoming summer to the Sziget festival and I cannot wait! The ticket cost a lot, but I do not care, I feel like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. It is the burden of loving bands that are not from my home country... But hopefully this won't be the only time! I am however super giddy excited about finally being there in front of the stage and hearing my favorite songs live. I know, that I am not the only person they are writing songs to, but it feels that way. And the same way as my favorite Placebo band helped me through some major things in my life (read that entry of mine here!), The 1975 helped me through even bigger ones, with being my companion through university, and now the hell hole that is becoming my planet...
Of all the things in my life, I find that I am lucky to be living on this planet at the same time as these songs are getting released. There is a lot out there that I missed out on, and sometimes not even by choice... this band makes me want to be active and alert and doing what I can to make my life the best possible. Hope you will check out some of their materials, I for one, will re-listen to all three albums right now (and probably every time someone reads this entry.)
