The Horror Shack

Movie Review: She's Crushed (2009)

victor_crowley — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 09:21:00 +0500

WOW. My jaw is still dropped. I wouldn't necessarily classify this movie scary, as it takes quite a bit these days to give me a fright, but “Crushed” came pretty damn close. Imagine “Fatal Attraction” mixed with “May” and “Hostel” if you can. There is nothing original about the story itself. Clint Eastwood made his directorial debut in 1971 with “Play Misty For Me”, which is really where “Crushed” gets its roots. There are only so many ways you can tell the same story without diluting its impact, but “Crushed” managed to take things a step further than any of its predecessors. Its originality comes solely from the brutality of the film. Patrick Johnson managed to immortalize most men's worst nightmare on film in a very real and brutal way (well, “Teeth” might actually take the cake on that one, but I digress....).

Natalie Dickinson takes the role of psychotic female to a whole new level. I am so disappointed that I am just now hearing about about the promotional campaign on YouTube leading up to the films release. For three years Natalie posted videos as Tara showing her slowly start sinking into insanity. Fantastic concept and unbelievable marketing tool taking a remarkable amount of dedication on her part. I must say I found the rest of the cast to be pretty weak with the exception of Ray's friend at work(who's name I can't recall and IMDB isn't telling me). That dude cracked me up.

Overall, “Crushed”, aka "She's Crushed" proves that a good horror movie can still be made for $200 and five cases of beer. The gore and effects aren't great and the acting is nothing special, but “Crushed” is a definite must see. I give it a 7/10 for its shock value alone.

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The Horror Shack (Intro)

lcranston — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 06:37:00 +0500

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Evil Dead Remake Confirmed

victor_crowley — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:59:00 +0500

There have been talks of this floating around the rumor mills for quite some time now and we are finally seeing some movement on it. At first, I was quite excited when Bruce Campbell confirmed the remake yesterday on twitter (@groovybruce), but my opinion has changed quite a bit the more I've learned. While it is said the film will be produced by Raimi, Tapert, and Campbell, Bruce will not be reprising his role as Ash and the reigns will be handed over to newcomer director Federico Alvarez, known for his 2009 short film "Panic Attack" (below). I am not totally against a reinvention at this point, but have serious doubts as to whether this will be a good match up. I enjoyed his film from a technical persepective, but it is nothing we all haven't seen before in this age of CGI enhanced monster movies. Sam Raimi proved in 1981 that a true classic could be made on a shoestring budget without the aid of all the computer generated bullshit we have today. I would just hate to see overuse of CGI in a reinvention of a film that clearly doesn't need it, and from my take on "Panic Room", that is exactly what Alvarez will be bringing to the table. Only time will tell, I am just hoping that the new film does not make a mockery of the legacy left behind from the previous 3.

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Die You Zombie Bastards (The Benny Hill Cut)

victor_crowley — Tue, 24 May 2011 04:49:00 +0500

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Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Get Net Neutrality

lcranston — Wed, 11 May 2011 07:45:00 +0500

After clicking on the web browser icon, I swiftly head to specific news websites to inform myself on current events. Upon finishing, I will most likely check my emails and try to pay my bills online. After that ‘that is all she wrote’ because unless there is useful information sought within the Internet, the Internet is quite worthless. I despise social networking sites, youtube (because of their “great” commercials and “educated” users’ comments), and whatever other websites forces you to click on advertisements before entering the site because they are senseless and frustrating. Today (April 8th of 2011), however, I came across an article by Edward Wyatt of the New York Times which was quite intriguing.

This article was in regards to the rejection of ‘Net Neutrality’ by the House of Representatives. Net Neutrality were a set of rules appointed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) late last year to regulate how Internet service providers managed their broadband networks. This meant that if such a law was approved, Internet providers like Verizon or Comcast, would have the ultimate authority to restrict their users from accessing specific websites; especially from their competitors. Additionally, if there was an approval of this law, users wanting to cross the restrictions pond would have to cough up a few extra dollars. Therefore, customers had to pay tier service plans for additional exhausted amount of Internet bandwidth had the bill passed. Wyatt (2011) further elaborates that President Obama had threatened to veto the law if it was passed which made it next to impossible for an approval because “it will then take a vote by two-thirds of each House of Congress to override the veto.” Interestingly enough, some of the Republican Representatives were in favor of the law while most of the Democrats were against it.

Though dissonance is never superficial between the two parties, I find it interesting that the two parties were actually for and against the bill because somehow it indicates that the Republicans and the Democrats are being bribed to choose a side; particularly when the United States President has aimed to veto the law. Wyatt (2011) indicates that the Democrats accused the Republicans of protecting the interests of the cable and phone company; while the “Republicans countered by accusing Democrats of protecting big technology companies, like Google, Amazon and Netflix[...].” Perhaps this is just another strategic mockery of the parties to blame one another over a debate, but why would the Democrats and the Republicans decide on who to defend when the consumers are the ones that will suffer from this bill? An approval of this bill would be like a slap across the face of the consumers because we are the ones making these Internet providers rich. The fact that the FCC even bothered to green-light Net Neutrality glorifies the phrase ‘living so free is a tragedy’ because this would be like a complete adoption of the totalitarian regimes, like in China and North Korea, because the rules favored “limitations on Internet sites that people were free to view” (Wyatt, 2011).

Fortunately, the bill was revoked because Net Neutrality would have ultimately lend a large gap for Internet pirating to pave a road over its restrictions. The article made a small attempt to mention Internet pirating, but it was only to signify how the FCC illicitly authorized Comcast to block access to the file-sharing service BitTorrent. BitTorrent is one of the many file-sharing sites on the Internet and when one is blocked or confiscated many more flourishes. I am not aware if Internet pirating was taken into consideration by the House of Representatives, however, if the Net Neutrality bill was approved the prolific use of illegal file-sharing websites could have possibly tripled if not quadrupled. Why? Had the Net Neutrality bill passed, Internet providers, like Comcast (owners of NBC), were in liberty to restrain online access to other networks’ websites (Fox, CBS and ABC) from their users; especially when previously aired television shows are currently viewable online. Conversely, this will trigger Comcast users to seek what they are looking for illegally. That or give them (the users) a run for their money to an Internet provider with less restrictions. Then with those restrictions, specialized services and tiered rates are inaugurated which will use the “Internet pipeline to deliver dedicated services to specific customers” (Wyatt, 2011). In other words, Internet users wanting to watch 30 seconds of youtube videos; will have to pay for additional bandwidth through monthly plans. So the higher the bandwidth the larger the monthly plan, but restrictions may still be applied. What about restricting access to Comcast’s Internet competitors, like Verizon and ATT? Well, if Comcast’s users are mobile users and their cellphone provider is Verizon or ATT then the consumers would probably be in jeopardy because the users would be refrained from satisfying their online bills due to online restraining orders by Comcast.

The most ignorant part about the article (not the article itself) is that some Internet broadband providers are willing to challenge the order of this Net Neutrality rejection in court. One, President Obama acknowledged that he will veto the bill if it ever saw the light of day. Secondly, it will take two-thirds of the House of Representatives to override the veto. Lastly, do the Internet providers seriously expect for the consumers to pay for additional bandwidth when the Internet barely has anything to offer? If it were so, Tom Bernes-Lee should sue these Internet providers for every dime he never saw for the creation of the “www” within the search engine. If last year the Court of Appeals ruled that the FCC had no authority to sanction Comcast to block access to BitTorrent (Wyatt, 2011), I clearly do not foresee Internet providers having their way when attempting to reverse the rejection justified by the House of Representatives in court.

This was such an erroneous attempt to corner the Internet market. Perhaps because of the current circus formation inside the House of Representatives, the FCC thought their Net Neutrality bill would be victorious. What I kept asking myself reading through the article was, ‘What about the little guys? What happens to them if this bill went through an approval?’ (the little guys in this situation are those small companies trying to make a name for themselves as Internet based businesses). The little guys would have probably become obsolete due to an approval of the bill because of the power the bigger companies have over them. Thankfully, it failed miserably. There is an old saying my mom used to tell me, ‘When the river sounds, it is because it conveys something.’ This will not be the last time I read or hear of this bill. I believe this topic will take a long time to fade away because it does not quite seem like the FCC is going to go down without a fight; particularly when Internet providers are willing to challenge the outcome of the bill in court. I have often engage in conversations in regards to the Internet being dead then if it were, this bill would finalized its epitaphs.

Reference:

Wyatt, Edward. 2011. “House Votes Against ‘Net Neutrality’.” – New York Times.

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Scope of Work: A Look at Japan’s Disaster From An Architectural Perspective

lcranston — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 04:18:00 +0500

I do not quite know how many people were awake on the East coast while the disastrous earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan, but I do know that I was one of them. The only two television stations covering it at the time were CNN and BBC. This was then followed by the big three networks 2 HOURS LATER. For the first five minutes after the occurrence of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake (meaning a 9 magnitude) I was witnessing a mess of ungodly images which left me fixated to my television set. Unfortunately and shortly thereafter, a tsunami struck the island covering it like a ravaged bedspread because it literally eat a portion of the Japanese island. I felt as if I could not breathe. I acknowledge that I could not move. Then moments later I whispered, 'Jesus.'

Several years ago, the train I rode in was stuck inside the tunnel because of supposed congestion ahead of [us]. Moments later, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Agent pronounce over the loud speaker that two airplanes had recently collided onto the two towers of the World Trade Center. Obnoxiously, I felt safe because my first instinct was to determine my evacuation to a safety zone. Fortunately, the locomotive commenced and dispatched [us] at the proximal station. However, after witnessing two natural disasters back to back I felt threatened. Not once did the phrase “this is the end of the world” crossed my mind, but during that period I just could not think of what to do because there was nothing I could do. Sadly, the only will I had was to stand back and let nature take its course. Speechless, my conscience asked, “Superman where are you now...?”

Bruce Lee once said, “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.” As my heart raced, the gentle water pulverized everything within its path. The water progressively charged like a ton of bulldozers and dared to called Her self the big bad wolf because She brushed, She tackled, and She tore everything down. People trying to escape this natural disaster never had a chance. Several attempts of bravery were made by the people of Japan, yet Her brutal punishment dismantled a portion of their way of life. I will never forget that one white minivan speeding across the narrow road like a dove out from hell exhaustively attempting to outlast mother nature's roar. Unfortunately, at the end of the road there approached Her; roaring like an unimaginable machine fueled by currents and at the blink of an eye the white minivan was no longer in sight. As She dragged structures, automobiles, and corpses along with Her, never did the tsunami showed signs of a stoppage. From my point of view, She felt free to roam as She pleased and was ranked as a rebel with a cause.

The bird's eye view's images presented were unbearable, but I just could not and would not turn away from them because I yearned-for the underdogs and encourage the Japanese in peril to make it to safety. Evidently, I found myself shouting at the screen, "COME ON! COME ON, MAKE IT!" as I saw cars racing and people running for their lives. Unfortunately, the water's current was just too fast and the misfortunate were swept away.

After ravaging a mark over the portion of the island, Her currents weakened and normality was left with misery. As the network's helicopter continuously revealed realtime images of the devastation, circulating reports began to pour in about an explosion near one of the nuclear plants at Fukishima, Japan. Shortly, the reports disclosed that one of the nuclear reactors at Fukishima had just exploded as a result of the earthquake. Swiftly, images of the nuclear reactor's roaring flames were presented. Witnessing this, I frowned and grew with confusion. I began to look around the room to search for answers that were not there; the four walls only spoke stories of wind blows and doorways. With a cognitive conscience, I rested my back on the back of my seat like a bored coach potato.

Not allowing myself to let this defeat me, I swiftly asked, 'How is that even possible?' I quickly smirked frowning and asked once more, 'How is this-even-possible?' Right from start, I knew there was something wrong. This was not supposed to happened. This was perhaps next to impracticable. Something was seriously wrong, how could there not be? Then my architectural mind set flickered into gear. The island of Japan is heavily known for its earthquakes. With that in mind, such hazardous structures ARE designed to withstand the maximum imaginable trembling events. Which means that such designations should be able to laugh on the face of danger and ridicule, “Is that the best you got!?” Obviously, this is not justifying that some structures will not dismantle but these hazardous structures ARE to be designed with specialized backup generators in case a catastrophe of such magnitude does indeed happened to prevent perhaps a nuclear holocaust. Just what the hell happened to those generators? I did not know, but I did assume that the generators chillingly failed. Or at least one of them did. The following afternoon, reports briefed that another nuclear reactor blew to smithereens releasing radioactive vapor which quickly consolidated with the atmosphere. Now the city of Japan is absorbing and inhaling radioactive vapor twenty-four hours a day and the best news reports from the island are nothing more than panics. After two days of spoon fed news reports, I concluded that I had just about enough of it.

Moments after, however, my conclusions were wrong...

On March 14 of 2011, investigative reporter Greg Palast reported the truth behind the mask. In Palast's article (1), he writes about an abundance of reports based on government nuclear plants fraud and racketeering investigations. Unfortunately, this includes our own backyard. Palast revealed that all nuclear plants around the world must pass a Seismic Qualification where all components are designed to withstand conceivable shaking events. However, when failure is not an option the most inexpensive process to meet a Seismic Qualification is to lie. Lie. Palast elaborates that in the late 1980s correcting Seismic Qualifications would have cost a billion dollars. If that was so, in 2011 it would probably cost twenty times that amount. So when reports disclosed that the Seismic Qualification tests at a nuclear plant failed, the engineers were ordered to change the attempts from failed to passing. Why am I not surprised? Simple...this is nothing new in the industry. Obviously, this is not revealing the prolific sum of money which I assume was twined for this “Seismic Qualification change” by the owners of the nuclear plants and their engineers. What am I referring to? Ask yourself this question, how many construction cranes collapsed in 2010 in New York City alone? Far too many. And this was due to lack of responsibilities and investigations, right? Bull-crap. Money called the shots to prevent construction to be placed on hold by the building department. The last thing one needs at a construction site is a sudden stoppage. To the inexperienced everything can appear proportionate according to blueprints, just do not ask me how twenty grand got to the inside of the building examiner's shirt's pockets. (For clarifications purpose, twenty grand is just a number used as an example). Think of it this way, if the crane is not stabilized and attached to the structure one way or another something is seriously wrong.

Feel threatened yet? No? Fine. What about the back-up generators that I assumed failed? Well, CNN progressively reported that the tsunami disabled the pumps needed to cool the reactors. So water somehow managed to disable the GEN-ER-A-TORS that makes the pumps run? “These safety back-up systems are the 'EDGs' in nuke-speak: Emergency Diesel Generators. That they didn't work in an emergency is like a fire department telling us they couldn't save a building because “it was on fire”” (Palast, 1).

Recently, the New York Daily News bombarded their front page with the Fukishima nuclear plant chaos and a headline that (almost) read “50 Hero Scientists Are The Nation's Last Hope” (this is as close to the headline as I can get because I cannot find the actual one). Now, I am about to be as politely distasteful as I possibly can. Those scientists risking their lives maybe “heroes,” but who is the Tokyo Electric Power Company kidding? This is a coverup served on a silver platter. This is just like certain scenes in movies where one of the characters realizes that he or she must risk their life for the brutal suffering that character has caused another to settle their unfortunate score. The best explanation for this is the “good” Nazi. “Hey, I helped kill hundreds of people, but I made up for it by sheltering one Jew from execution,” said the “good” Nazi. The world's greatest magician, Houdini, developed a strategically unique style known as misdirection. Without a doubt, Tokyo Electric is pulling a Houdini. How? Well, that is the four billion dollar question. Tokyo Electric needs to demonstrate to the world that they are courageous and are willing to stop at nothing to fix a national disaster from dispersing with more than just a band-aid. And what better way to glorify this statement than organizing 50 scientists to risk their necks to stabilize a national if not global dilemma? Because there is no other way, Tokyo Electric must do everything in their power to keep the four billion dollars the United States government has provided them with. So the problem must be fixed. Period. End of story. Wait a minute...did I just mentioned four billion dollars? Oops... I must be vomiting words and phrases again. “Obama's $4 billion bail-out-in-the-making is called the South Texas Project,” (Palast, 1). The South Texas Project is a proposal for a nuclear plant which will be established on Texan soil. Thankfully, the use of this bail-out-in-the-making will be part of the good old United States of America. This sounds awesome. I am sold. So, who will be the architect for this South Texas Project? Tokyo Electric Power Company. “Now hold on here,” you say, “First you tell us that the pumps at [their] nuclear plants failed after the tsunami struck. Now you are telling us four billion dollars of our money are being used to construct a nuclear plant down in Texas by the same people involved in this Japanese fiasco?” Hey, there is nothing wrong with this because it is not like there are schools closing nation wide and there aren't any police officers and firefighters being dismissed due to insufficient funds. So, why the heck not? Besides, it is only Texas and we all know everything is bigger there. So, if anything does happen it will eventually be okay because nothing devastated the Gulf Coast last year, right? “The Obama Administration is planning a total of $56 billion in loans for nuclear reactors all over America,” (1). Yeah, I would not worry too much about this because Tokyo Electric guaranteed us that a nuclear meltdown could never happen.

Hmm...perhaps that was an understatement.

At least there is one man willing to attach himself to the solution and not to the problem—Governor Andrew Cuomo. Several news reports revealed that Governor Cuomo is requesting an investigation of all nuclear plants within the state of New York. Finally, someone who is inclined to stand up for us. You are doing what is appropriate for your state, Governor Cuomo. Bravo! On the downside, there are still four billion dollars on the table with fifty-four more expecting an approval, so who are you kidding Governor Cuomo? When I heard the news in regards to this matter, I squinted as if to say, 'this sounds fishy.' At first I made it clear to myself not to make any assumptions because I was not quite briefed on the situation but my conscience spoke a different tune. In 1988, Palast informs that he was part of a governmental investigation that blew the whistle on the Shoreham nuclear plant in New York. His team discovered that the Shoreham plant was a recipe for disaster because their Seismic Qualification test was confirmed as passing when in reality it was a complete failure. Imagine the Shoreham plant was aggravated by a tsunami before any of these revelations saw the light of day. A tsunami withering the Shoreham plant is possible because its location was right near the water just like the one in Fukushima. Now, George Bush with his no more new taxes becomes President Elect and Governor Cuomo (the father of our current governor) governs the state of New York. The tsunami roughens the New York peninsula and takes apart the Shoreham nuclear plant releasing radiation into the atmosphere. While New York City rests less than 70 miles away from this plant, the governor issues a state of emergency. Evacuations are in order, but the aftermath has claimed the lives of many. Governor Cuomo (the father) is provided with an estimation of the devastation which indicates that the cost of the damages are nearly scraping the sky with a finger. For several years professionals will blame the levels of radiation on the inhumane tsunami and the reasons why the Shoreham nuclear plant failed to retain radiation within their walls will eventually fade away. Luckily, the investigation team Greg Palast was part of discovered these parsimonious jackasses before a catastrophe of such magnitude occurred. My concern is that the Shoreham nuclear plant has been the only of many to be apprehended for their strategic “cutting corners” procedures. So then all other nuclear plants generators around the globe are working as they should even under extreme pressures without a single problem.

This sounds great, but I resent it. In his report, Palast states that during his Shoreham investigation two engineers working there provided his investigation team with enough confidential information to red flag the son of a gun like a Christmas tree. Unfortunately, after the Shoreham plant was demolished the two scientists were fired and blacklisted from the industry for performing courageous acts to save the lives of thousands if not millions. The key word here is blacklisted. This places the 50 scientists inside the Fukushima plant in an entirely different perspective. "The [Japanese] culture does not allow the salary-men, who worked all their lives for one company, to drop the dime," (Palast, 1). Have these Japanese scientists been threatened somehow? Clearly, it seems like it. I can understand Jacky Chan risking his life to acquire the perfect shot for his fans, but risking your life for a company that will only gruesomely benefit you with a cancerous death is no where near a jollity; more like a malevolent encouragement. Sadly, we are left with misdirected speculations and misconceptions. Misconceptions because of how the media signifies the levels of radiations as “not dangerous.” By all means... beware that fact because there cannot be such clarifications.

Now Japan has been rocked by yet another lesser earthquake in the city of Honshu. This may have jeopardize whatever work was produced by the scientists inside the Fukishima nuclear plant because both cities are less than 150 miles apart. With nothing but terrible news rapidly encroaching the airwaves there are no single indications of a positive outcome for Japan or the gratifying accomplishments by Tokyo Electric Power Company.

Reference:

(1) Greg Palast

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The Walking Dead: Prelude to the Pilot

lcranston — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:10:00 +0500

Prelude to the Pilot

Okay…

First thing is first. I have heard quite a lot of buzz about this show. Primarily, they are from friends and other media sources which will remain nameless. This show is based on a comic book of the same name. No, notPrelude to the Pilot but The Walking Dead. Do I seriously have to break it down for you? Well, it is a blog; therefore, I should.

One thing that will remain certain is that though I was (or still am but no longer buy them) a bit of a comic book collector; I have never touched any of the Walking Dead series. Hey, the first issue of Spawn may not be as valuable as it once was but with any giving historical fact rests the value of how much this comic book is going to increase in price in the near future. Then when this happens, I can go for the big kill. Do not worry I am not getting my hopes up. Particularly, it was quite an awesome decision to ignore the comics because I would have ultimately found myself comparing the show with the comic book rather than developing an analytical perception of the show.

Secondly, it seems pretty obvious what the show is about. Just by looking at the cover or the image posted above one can certainly identify that is my ex-girlfriend. No, wait! That does not sound right. Excuse me, one can certainly identify that this show is about zombies. Yes, that is it… zombies. I have lost count as to the many times I have felt like a zombie, but let me tell you this: it sucks! However, the dream of me being a zombie while having sexual intercourse with a beautiful young lady was BADASS! I sure wish that dream would occur over and over and ahhh. Ah, yes…nothing just happened. I swear! Please, believe me. But yes, the show is about zombies.

I sure hope that this show is loosely based on real zombies. And by real zombies I mean old school zombies. And by old school zombies I mean the zombie world George Romero imagined and drafted for us then finally directed. Now, the problem lies on the misconception of the film28 Days Later.

It does not bother me to see zombies run for about 20 feet or so. To me that is logical. However, when watching these “new zombies” run for a 50 yard dash then clearly there is something wrong. Just because these “new zombies” or infected people are viciously attacking and infecting others with their virus it does not formulate them as zombies. If it were so, then vampires would be zombies. And werewolves are not short of this argument. So, if you want to consider them as “new zombies” then that is on you. Just make sure you understand the distinction between the zombies as we know them and the steroid enhanced zombies depicted in the film 28 Days Later. Let it be clear, 28 Days Later is not at fault here. We all know who really is and let it be known that it is not the audience. However, the idea illustrated within the film gave those people (not the audience) the understanding to acknowledge, “This is what the public wants and this is how We (Yes, capital W) will confuse them.”

If you think about it, what are the stages of bringing an idea to life?

Stages are as follows:

1. The idea

2. The prototype

3. The Supervening of social necessity (The need for something)

BOOM! The idea becomes a blueprint awaiting its foundation. Think outside the box; even if it has six walls.

I am guessing, however, that the show premiered with nothing BUT bombshells and they all went off with I do not know what. Why? Simple. I have yet to catch the premier of this show you silly puppets. Nevertheless, the bombshells must have been immense because after two episodes the Walking Dead was picked up for a second season. Not too shabby. Now, the two big questions are as follows: how much have the comics increased in revenue? And, how do the fans feel about the show?

Well, without further ado let’s get this ball rolling.

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The Walking Dead – Season 1, Episode 1: Days Gone Bye

lcranston — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:09:00 +0500

I just had a strange thought…well more like a few questions: what happens with all these dead zombies in the show? Does Joe the trash man comes in with a special broom for dead people? If he does, I hope he pushes them away while saying, “Okay…move it along people…nothing to see here. Or, maybe they are offered as free people? Since they are dead, it makes a lot of sense. Plus, it-would-be-awesome! Beer! Beer! …no, wait…wait. I got a better one: Dead! Dead! Dead people here!

Days Gone Bye

Okay…
Well, our journey was introduced with misery. This leads me to my following question: what is the deal with some of these new shows coming out? The first ten minutes of these shows are introduced by “the happenings” (or aftermaths) then the back stories leading to “the happenings” unfolds. I do not know what this deal is, but I take it the writers (or producers) of these shows assume or believe that this is how the audience will be seized. This is how the viewers’ pupils will be magnetized on the screen. I do not get it, but at times it works. And the Walking Dead is not short of this argument. But one thing that remains certain is that everyone is unique. Great minds think alike sometimes. But great minds are not drafted on blueprints because the mind is an invisible force; it holds the greatest ability—im-ag-i-na-tion. Imagination! The imagination leads to a hero. The hero: One of the City of Kentucky’s finest—Officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). The entire misery scene with Rick passing thru reminds me of something out from the film Mad Max. There was not much dialog; which worked out great because it kept me intrigued. I know what you are thinking, intrigued? Yes, this is a zombie show. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out. But I do not know who Officer Rick Grimes is. I was not even aware that he was an actual cop until it was actually confirmed. Just because Rick is wearing a cop uniform I cannot acknowledge him as cop. For all I knew, Rick could have been wearing a Halloween costume. After all, the first episode to this show premiered on Halloween. But I was intrigued because I was desperate in knowing where the first zombie was and how was that zombie reaching a demise. Then it happened. I could blink a hundred times and I still managed to savor the scene. I blinked a hundred times more and the first glimpse of repetition was exposed—the opening theme.

The opening theme to the Walking Dead seems patriotic. Think George Washington and his wooden teeth, peace on earth, damnation deliverance, and a brand new American flag (no pun intended) and you have a visual understanding of this show’s opening theme.

As the show progressed, Officer Grimes’ partner was introduced and his name is Officer Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal). Here is a fun fact: Rick’s partner’s last name has been used on characters more than casinos slots have ever been touched. This was where the writers first exercised the use of a back-story. After a few bites of fries and small talk inside the squad-car, a call comes in which leads them to the middle of nowhere. There, all hell breaks loose and Rick finds himself in the last place he thought he would be that day—the Hospital. Since it was more than just a scratch, Rick needed a long time to recuperate. Hence, the title—Days Gone Bye…

After a series of days gone by, Rick abruptly woke up in the Hospital and discovered that his city has been overtaken by flesh eating zombies. Conversely, Rick managed to make friends with the first two survivors he encountered, Morgan Jones (Lennie James) and his son Duane (Adrian Kali Turner). Here is another interesting fun fact: actors Lennie James and Adrian Kali Turner do not appear on the list of cast for this show on imdb.com. This means you have to do a little more than digging to identify each character. Interestingly, exactly five walkers (zombies are referred to walkers for logical reasons which I cannot reveal) do appear on the list of cast on the same website. How the hell are five walkers more important than the two survivors Rick generated a bond with? Well, that certainly beats the hell ‘outta me. Nevertheless, this bond makes this show powerful. This demonstrated that dramatic scenes are capable of extracting the viewers’ fixations of zombies and focusing them on the powerful connections between these characters. Only one time was this ever pulled off and it was in the film 28 Days Later.This is the first horror film than can actually be called a film in my book because always remember there is a clear cut difference between a movie and a film. Rick’s bond with Morgan and Duane is friendship. However, Rick’s mission is to search for his family—his wife Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) and son Carl (Chandler Riggs). Unfortunately, there are two sides to their story; the one Rick knows and the one Lori understands.

As the episode neared an end, Rick traveled thru town on a horse just like the one on the promotional posters for the show. At first I thought, ‘Well, there are cops who do travel on horses but the real question is, where did he

get it and how did he managed to get on it?’ Well, this episode thoroughly explained it. And it was not because he is a police officer from Kentucky either. As Rick roamed thru the wrecked town, a foreign aerial apparatus led him to make a devastating wrong turn. How devastating? Imagine the LA Riots in 1992. There was no surrender. No escape. No Mercy. Or at least that is what Officer Grimes thought until a friend in need became a friend indeed.

I give this badboy – 5/5

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The Walking Dead – Season 1, Episode 2: Guts

lcranston — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:08:00 +0500

Is it possible to forget how to sleep? Is it? Boy, do I need some sleep. I have been wide awake since 7: AM…two days ago. I think I feel a yawn coming up…nope, false alarm. Now, I truly feel like a zombie… In the beginning there was nothing. That is lovely, but how about some damn sleep?! This feels like someone stole the Sun and the Moon. That seriously makes no sense. Hmm…Guts.

Guts

No guts. No glory. Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities…because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” However, Alexander Hamilton believed that everyone is selfish and out for themselves. Rick’s new pal, Glenn (Steve Yeun), is short of this argument. Or is he? During this episode, Glenn became a great source for Rick. Clearly, it makes sense to state that everyone in this show is out for themselves, but who can they trust. Who can they rely on? For now, they have to try and trust each other but with caution. Besides… a plan must be structured, followed, and executed. A code means nothing. As Rick managed to escape from his previous devastating encounter, he rendezvoused with new comers: Andrea (Laurie Holden), Marle Dixon (Michael Rooker), Morales (Juan Gabriel Parejas), T-Dog (IronE Singleton), Jacqui (Jeryl Prescott) and last but not least Glenn. These were six people that were not on the same page but were at a slightly better pace than Rick. After all, one (in this case six) must stay ahead of the game. “Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver… The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter,” once said Winston Churchill. After a moment of misunderstanding and comprehension, a plan elaborated a la Shaun of the Dead but with brute force. A person fantasizing about necrophilia would absolutely feel hatred towards these individuals at this moment. When I see a 1960s Ford Mustang getting destroyed during a scene in anything film related, I tend to get devastated and aggravated then start cussing up a storm at the screen; this is when you know you are infatuated with something. People with necrophilia fetishes are not short of this argument. Ready to rock & roll, their plan was magnificent because it proved to be highly effective. However, the rain unjustified the plan’s execution. Just when I thought it cannot rain all the time…this happens. But there was no need to fear. At least Rick and Glenn had the greatest instrumental method for an escape—legs. That and fast wheels.

There was hope after all. The hope for Rick to congregate with his family inched closer by the hour—miles per hours. I wish I could state that there was no reason for him to be alarm, but I cannot. To Rick’s knowledge, missing picture frames were the only clues to their whereabouts. If only he knew that his wife and child were alive and kicking. If only he knew that his partner, Shane, was alive as well. However, if he and his family ever get the chance to reunite in the near future, Rick should be dispassionately pleased with Shane for taking care of his family during his absence. I know what you are asking yourselves, “Why would Rick be dispassionately pleased with Shane?” Well, I will tell you why. Shane was being extremely generous by protecting Rick’s family because that is what partners do; they look out for each other. One hand covers the other. However, one opposite attracts the other. “Hey, by opposite do you mean when a man and a woman are attracted to each other they will end up having sexual intercourse?” Umm… what was it that Sarah Palin used to say? Ah, yes… “You betcha!”

My only quibble is that I am now the bearer of the jigsaw puzzle. Something is seriously wrong here. If Shane and Lori are together now, this means that Rick was in the hospital for a period of six months to year. However, this would not make any sense because Rick would not be alive at the moment for lack of nutrients. Keep in mind that when Rick woke up he was the only living person inside that hospital. Secondly, Shane’s and Loris’ relationship does not look fresh for a second. This can only mean one thing and one thing only. This can possibly mean that Lori has been having an affair with Shane while he and Rick were patrolling inside the squad car when the town was overrun by the real walking dead—civilians.

Hmm…My theories have not failed me yet, but Come whatever may…

I give this badboy a – 5/5

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The Walking Dead – Season 1, Episode 3: Tell It to the Frogs

lcranston — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:07:00 +0500

Why? Why is there never anything on television on Sunday nights? I know it is not the best day of the week, but jeez! I can understand one or two channels not showing anything, but all of them? Hmm…Tell It to the Frogs.

Tell It to the Frogs

As far as I am concern, this episode should tell it to the frogs (no pun intended). In no way was I wowed by this episode. Quite a few things happened during this episode that should have dropped bombshells on the face of the plot. However, those bombshells all went off with a…eh. I was deeply confused. Rick finally reconciled with his family. Sounds great, does it not? Yes, it really does. However, there is a “but” here. Where was the disposition? Where was the frame of mind? Where were the emotional money shot taken as Rick embraced himself into his family’s arms? The sentimental moment was not quite there. The scene felt as if Rick, Lori, and Carl have not seen each other in over a day. The scene felt empty. Aside from what he does not know about his wife’s affair with Shane, Rick barely had a dialog with him. Yes, Rick and Shane had a scene where a strategic plan was discussed, but most of their interactions were hello nods. I know what you are thinking, “Hello nods? As in nods that you give a person you do not know while walking passed them on the street?” Exactly! Get the reader a cigar. This is Rick’s partner. Rick’s partner! Shane is the third person Rick shared most of his life with everyday. However, the best interaction Rick and Shane shared was nothing more than a nod, really? Wow!

What about the other survivors? The survivors are doing wonderful thanks to Rick. The idea of Andrea, Jacqui, Amy (Emma Bell), and Carol (Melissa Suzan McBride) missing something once cherished was excellent. This really gave a realistic appeal to the episode. However, something remained very wrong during this episode. The world is overtaken by flesh eating zombies; yet, the humans (or these characters) seemed to be quite fond of the situation. Perhaps this is because they are alive, but they are acting way too casual in relations to the disastrous matter. Over two weeks ago, I lost my favorite winter hat. I was seriously aggravated with that. To this day, I still am. I had that hat for over eight years. The hat was sort of my life style. Now, think about your life style being ripped apart, how would you feel? I bet you would feel angry. If you do not then that is on you. But just think for a second…think of that mood downgraded to a minimum. Once you have done so you would understand the experience of this episode. Some expressed emotions and some lacked it. I doubt that the mood presented on the screen was the same as in the graphic novel because it was very lethargic. The scene did not quite feel right to me.

I give this badboy – 2.5/5 – Believe me this episode was not bad at all. However, if it were not for the mood of the episode I would have probably graded it much higher. The first episode demonstrated very powerful and moving scenes which I thought were incapable of being pulled off. In this episode, I was expecting the same acknowledgement but it was hardly ever there. Hopefully, this will pick up during the latter episodes…

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