Movie Review - Unstoppable

The Little Engine That Could (Deliver 1,000 tons of explosives into the middle of a populated city.)

The latest directorial effort by Tony Scott comes in the form of the runaway train movie, titled Unstoppable.  This name not only applies to the high speed train run-amok, carrying highly flammable materials, but the two railroad workers trying to stop it. Denzel Washington (Book of Eli) and Chris Pine (Star Trek) share the spotlight, playing two train conductors who are short on time to make sure the explosives-filled train doesn't derail and decimate whatever city it arrives at.  Those of you who have seen the trailer probably believe this is an action movie.  That assumption, for the most part, is incorrect.  Here, Tony Scott trades explosions and bullets for a more character driven experience.  The movie gets us to care about the two men trying to stop the train, using the "catching up the train moments" to give Washington and Pine time to really get to know each other.  This blends well with the action, splitting the movie into parts where something explodes and the aftermath, giving the characters time to express how they feel about the what's going on, their jobs, and their families.  The film does employ some cliche characters, such as the corporate figures who are too worried about money, and not about the lives of the public.  It'd be nice to see the opposite happen, maybe where the head of a company ends up saving the day.  Then again, that would probably be highly improbable.  The two leads do well together, playing off each other with comedic moments, despite their dire situation.  It's as if these are two men shooting the breeze at work, and also having to stop a train with explosive cargo on it.

Unstoppable also marks the first time in recent memory (for me anyways), that director Tony Scott has actually restrained from his high frequency quick cuts and flashy cinematography.  Don't get me wrong, the movie still has the vibe of a Scott film, but the "less is more" motto seems to work perfectly with the tone of the film.  The film is pretty well paced, giving adequate time for each situation to play out,  and each reaction to follow.  Not a lot happens within the first 30 minutes of 98 minute running time.  After the train lets loose, the suspense builds on each attempt to stop it, and each accident it causes.  The last 30 minutes of the movie are the result of that built up suspense, giving audiences a white knuckle experience.  The technical achievements are impressive, mainly because this is a movie about trains and how they operate on the tracks.  There was a limited amount of CG, if any, which was great because it gave the film that realism of a train on the lose. It would be interesting to see how they achieved some of the footage they shot.  Also, I felt like I actually learned something about the workers who run train yards and operate trains.  It gave an interesting look into what goes on, and how much these trains need to get going.

Being base off true life events, Unstoppable gives a realistic look into what happened and how people react to the situation.  Anyone looking for a straight-up action movie will be disappointed, but since the characters are well-developed, this action drama works well with the storyline.  This is one train you'll want to catch.

4 out of 5 Stars

Music Review - Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

"The future is bulletproof, the aftermath is secondary.
It's time to do it now and do it loud. Killjoys! Make some noise!"

It's hard not to want to stand up and jump around after hearing the opening lines of the new album by My Chemical Romance.  After being absent from the music scene for nearly four years, MCR is back and better than ever with their post-apocalyptic persona's, the Killjoys.  The constant touring of the last couple years have put strains on the band, even going so far as to scrap a project that was 80% complete, before creating Danger Days.  And good thing too, since this is how MCR is supposed to be: epic, loud, and unbelievably catchy.  Obviously taking cues from their previous effort, The Black Parade, the band has clearly redefined it's image, now flaunting flashy bright colors and laser pistols, without jeopardizing the music.

While The Black Parade focused on death, Danger Days instead creates a whole new mythology to follow, which follows the Killjoys (Party Poison, Jet Star, Kobra Kid, and Fun Ghoul) fighting an evil corporation that has taken over the wastelands following an apocalyptic event.  The opening track "Look Alive, Sunshine", completely sets the tone and the backdrop, starting with a DJ on a radio broadcast.  This bleeds into the next track, "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na)", the first single off the album.  In classic MCR fashion, this not only touches base with the Black Parade's epic sound, but manages to make it just as catchy.  It's an amazing blend of catchy hooks, harmonizing guitars, and a foot tapping guitar solo.  If you haven't seen the music video (which was directed by front man Gerard Way), by all means go and watch it immediately.

"Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na)" Music Video

Thankfully, the album doesn't let up there.  MCR has learned some new tricks over the last couple years.  This can be heard on several tracks later in the album, most notably "SING" and "The Only Hope for Me is You" which move away from the blatant hard rock sound into a more mature sound.  There are a few casualties in this post-apocalyptic thriller, such as "Planetary (GO)!" and "Destroya", which never quite developed into the full sound and energy the rest of the album brings to the table.

I am glad to see this band evolving, because they have such great potential, as already witnessed on The Black Parade and now Danger Days.  This album requires multiple hearings to full capitalize on how complex the compositions are, and how great they go together.  Instead of following the politically charged Green Day and their direction after American Idiot, MCR has managed to retain what distinguished themselves from the rest of the pack.  How they were able to construct a wholly believable world filled with punk-rock and lasers is beyond me, and I praise them for being able to let the listener lose themselves in this post-modern atmosphere.  Danger Days has brought forth the strongest effort by MCR to date.  Hopefully the apocalypse will be just a colorful as they have imagined it.

5 out of 5 Stars

Black Friday, How I Love Thee

Just got back from Black Friday shopping.  God I love Best Buy and it's $9.99 Blu-Ray deals.  Picked up 6 of those, so that saved me a ton of money since Blu-Ray are normally a million dollars a piece.  I got Kick-Ass, The Book of Eli, Hancock, Taken, Public Enemies and The Crazies.  Not a bad day at all.  I also hit up Banana Republic, which was having a 40% off everything sale.  They need to do that cause each article of clothing there is at least $80.  Yes, cashmere feels soooo soft, but I'm not about to spend $100 on a sweater, which I will then need to dry clean in the future.  I love nice clothes, but they are also really expensive, especially since I am only a college student and work at Blockbuster.  It also makes me a girl, since I'm pretty sure my closet has more clothes than my girlfriend.  She has me beat on shoes though, which is pretty easy to do, since I own only like 2 pairs, one of which I wear pretty much everyday.

Signed, I Love Blu-Ray Deals

Formalities

So, I thought on this post I'd get some formalities out of the way.  I am an architecture student in Nebraska.  I come from the outskirts of Chicago.  Asking me if I love architecture would result in me shaking my head, breathing in very deep, and then releasing a giant sigh.  My studies in architecture, to me, are a double-edged sword.  On one hand, it consumes all my time, nearly kills me at certain intervals, probably raises my blood pressure, gives me a head start on gaining gray (grey?) hair, and an assortment of other stresses.

Despite all this, I can honestly say I'd rather suffer all of that so that my future self (and family) will be supported by my career.  I do like architecture, don't get me wrong, but I don't love it.  I'd much rather be filming movies in exotic locations or becoming a secret agent, but I'm not really cut out for that stuff.  What I am cut out for is designing and using all the software architecture needs.  So this is it.  I'm on the fringe of civilization.  I put myself in this position on purpose  To challenge myself, make myself stronger, so that I can become a better person for the future.  Alright, enough of that talk for one night.  I'm headed to bed.  Gotta wake up at 7:30 am to get to Best Buy for Black Friday.  They have some sweet action Blu-Ray deals going on.  See you there.

Signed, Architecture for Life, Movies Forever

Beginning of the End

Alright folks, how's it going? I'm Nick and I'm going to be here to talk about stuff.  What that stuff is, I'm not quite sure about at this moment.  Being that this is my first blog, I haven't really a clue as to what the hell I'm supposed to say.  And with that thought, I give you the end of my first entry.

Signed, The Thanksgiving Turkey I Ate Today