I’m breaking from routine this week. It’s time to mix up the schedule, so for today, I thought I would do a review…I’m really, really behind in those. I mean, I never even talked about Star Wars. Who am I?
As always, I will do my best to keep my review “spoiler free”.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that DC is trying to play catch up with Marvel. Marvel has been interweaving their stories since day one and while not all the movies they put out are stellar, they’ve put out a few great ones and their story telling only continues to get better. From what I’ve seen so far of the DC cinematic world, the same cannot be said.
Suicide Squad, on initial inspection, sounded like an interesting premise: gather together some of the comic world’s worst and let them do something good knowing that if it all goes wrong they’re the perfect scapegoats.
First of all, there are so. many. characters, and for some reason, we needed the backstory of each one. Actually, no, we didn’t. As a writer, I’ve learned that when introducing a group, you should find an interesting way to do it, so it sets them all up with their individual character traits and personalities, and doesn’t waste too much time. This did not happen in Suicide Squad.
I wish I would have timed it, but I felt the set up for all these characters was somewhere in the 45 mins range. Way too long. And a lot of their backgrounds could have easily been summed up in a line of dialogue. With stories of this genre, and with a lot of side characters, I don’t feel that full histories are necessary because we don’t need to emotionally connect with each person on screen. Besides, the movie is only two hours long.
Then there was the plot, or lack there of. What a convoluted mess. Honestly, I felt that the director was having so much fun showing off his cast and special effects that he forgot they were supposed to be doing something – the mission – which, again, was all over the place. With a comic book history that spans 75 years, there are a number of topics to choose from, and yet this is where they really fell flat.
The one redeeming thing in the whole movie: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, her sweet-crazy performance was the highlight of the film, in addition to the very few interactions we got with Jared Leto’s Joker. Long time comic book fans are well aware of the twisted relationship they share, and considering the information of how much footage was shot of the two, I think most movie goers were surprised/disappointed with the less than 10 mins that actually appeared in the film.
This is probably because they were trying to make leads of all their characters, and now this is why so many fans are calling for a Harley/Joker film with these two actors reprising the roles. They were fun to watch.
Sadly, this film was an overall disappointment. It had its moments of comedy, but they were few and far between. Comic books are fun, and yes, they often deal with real world problems, but the characters that are coming to save the day wear tights and capes. Regardless of wanting these stories to feel “real” with a darker side, they should maintain their levity and fun.
Well, that’s my take any way. If you saw the film, what did you think?
The Sis and I are part of Team Falkor, and always will be! This year our team was comprised solely of amazing women who are among some of the best people I have never met. As the scavenger hunt is international and online, I have yet to meet some of my teammates, although the friendships formed despite this last a lifetime. The group is encouraging, supportive, and just plain awesome all year round (a few of them were my beta readers for my pilot).
devoted Whovians, so we always include at least one Doctor Who reference. This year was a freckle constellation. The Sis and I like taking our time on items, so we generally choose those that take planning and effort and then go out and snapshot like 8 in one day. We have one team member, fondly nicknamed “The Hammer”, for her sheer mind-blowing ability to hammer out multiple items every day. I think her name was on 35 items this year.
Gishwhes is one of those rare things that brings people together to have fun and do good deeds. It’s an event that you look forward to all year and plan for by saving random things you think could be useful for an item. It helps to break you out of your shell by having you approach strangers for hugs while covered in chocolate, or helps you overcome a fear, like jumping out of an airplane, or giving blood, or even being buried in popcorn. With roughly 175 items each year, you can imagine the possibilities.
Happy Monday, my friends!
Amidst all this was the third anniversary of my blog.
I’m certain I’ve talked about this subject in the past – the idea that even if our lives are chaotic and unsatisfying, we’re comfortable with what’s familiar, what we know. Sometimes while striving towards a goal, the unknown can be cause for fear, even if subconsciously.
There are a number of rumors circulating about the elusive Miss Jean Louis, and as we all know, rumors are generally based in fact.
Instead of finding someone with whom she could share a life designed to keep the mundane at bay, she found a cyclone encapsulated in human form, one that needed structure and oversight. Not one to give up, no matter the odds, Miss Jean Louis decided to help her newfound ally. She would guide him, and offer him her sage wisdom of a life well lived, knowing that eventually, together, they would do great things.
As many of you are aware, I like my routine, but something about it recently has created the side effect of “burnout”. I’ve had little motivation to do much beyond what is absolutely necessary, and even those things have taken great effort.
Luckily, I do have one thing to look forward to, and it couldn’t be more timely, Gishwhes is upon us.
A Writer's Discrepant Memoirs and Other Tales 