Hour 21: A Film and Interactive Media Blog

  Captain America Brave New World “Look if we can't see the good each other then we have already lost the fight” -Captain America Brave New World We fight. We fight against our inner natures, we fight against ourselves and we fight against those perceptions of ourselves that we know are untrue. That is the key isn't it, perception. Perception is the downfall to any true understanding. Often block us from the source, not allowing us to gain a solid basis for the truth that we seek. Now, I am not naïve, not all sources are reliable. People are always going to be people, with all the flaws and failures that that stage of being entails. Though the need for open dialogue stands, no matter the case. At first indicators Captain America Brave New World seems to be ushering us into a new era for the Marvel cinematic universe. Yet with all good stories their desired intent often leads us down well-worn paths in interesting new ways, it is no different here. This film exudes the t...

  The Gorge ”If you are lonely when alone, you are in bad company.” “Everything is a dangerous drug except reality, which is unendurable.” “You bury enough secrets, the graveyard runs out of room.” “Three things cannot be long hidden, the sun, the moon and the truth.” -The Gorge Silence, it is one of those rare instances that can be both peaceful and full of fear in the same moment. In today's world silence is seemingly a luxury that we can't afford. Though, as I think about it, It may be more honest to say that silence is a luxury that we often disregard because it makes us face our deepest fears. Perhaps The greatest barrier to assuaging these fears is believing that we have to face them on our own. Though, that is simply not true. There is always help out there. We just need to know where to look. The Gorge is simply unique in how it approaches this idea of facing our inner demons. The tale of two military snipers keeping guard over a mysterious gorge is a lesson in...

  Wallace and Gromit Vengeance most Fowl “The robots, they're taking over the world. They'll destroy us all, I tell you.” “Then where is the Blue diamond!” “That's just an innocent nun out for a pleasure Cruise.” Let's cut to the chase, Wallace and Gromit Vengeance most Fowl is a delight from start to finish. The film's simplicity shines evoking a sense of inventiveness and creativity that few films manage to achieve. I know what you're thinking, how can a film be simple but yet inventive in the same instance? The answer, care and passion for your work. The folks over at Aardman animation are able to accomplish so much because they deeply understand the medium that they are working in. Stop-motion animation is a hard sell nowadays. This tedious process of moving a maquette inch by inch second by second until you achieve a completed animation is a laborious process. Yet, Aardman clearly enjoys the art of patience because their work definitely speaks for itsel...

  American Primeval “He knows our real name.” “Are you ready to run?” “By chance did anyone else escape?” “No.” -American Primeval      What do we gain when we seek freedom, but lose sight of our humanity in the process? American Primeval is a striking portrait of the dignity of the human person, and the tragedy that can arise out of misunderstanding that dignity. This miniseries does double or triple duty on so many thematic and visual levels. Yet, it never loses that central core of humanity. That driving force, reminding us that we all are human. All we need to do is understand that fact to appreciate the true value of the human experience. A simple truth, I know. It is perhaps a bit naive as well though, it never negates the facts of the matter. If we can learn to understand the dignity of others, we ultimately gain a deeper understanding of our own dignity as a human being.      This stark Western drama is a journey that longs for freedom. Set a...

“Because of your destiny.” “Why are you talking like that?” “I just want to add a bit of drama” -Lego Horizon Adventures           Lego Horizon Adventures is less the Travelers Tales variety of Lego parity, and more the joyous mismatched delight of creative play that comes from the inventiveness inherent in these colorful building bricks we call Lego. Sony's Horizon franchise is tailor-made for the Lego treatment as its post-apocalyptic world's defining factor is mechanical beasts. In other words, robot dinosaurs. Lego, brings these prehistoric creatures into the lush setting of Horizon, with a sense of play and quirky enthusiasm, that emanates through its vibrant color palette and delightful cast of humorous characters.      Horizon Adventures marks a departure from previous Lego video games in its approach to its environment. In previous games the Lego mini fig characters an...

  Shadowlands 1993 “So Jack, have you ever been really hurt? “You don't give up, do you?” “I have been really hurt, you know? The first time is always the worst. That is when my mother died." “The pain now is part of the happiness, that's the deal.” -Shadowlands      What opens us up to life? What brings us to a fuller understanding of ourselves? These are the questions we all must ponder in time. Yet, we consistently try to elude their penetrating gaze. We do this because the pain these questions often call to mind is too difficult to bear. Though that is what life is, is it not? Pain mingled with joy, the ever present reminder that we are human.      At first glance, Shadowlands may not be what you expect out of a film chronicling the life of C.S. Lewis, but it is precisely what it needs to be. The film is certainly not, C.S. Lewis a life retold moment by moment and fact by fact. No, Shadowlands is something more poignant and varied than that. As w...

  Skeleton Crew Season 1 Part 2: This Is Why We Do What We Do  “Son, you are talking to a level 7 systems coordinator, get the bike. “ “Everywhere we went, even the worst places. There were good people too, people that can help us. You have to trust me.” “Did we win? “ -Star Wars Skeleton Crew season 1 Joy, that is how I would describe Star Wars Skeleton Crew season 1. The show is pure joy. Skeleton Crew encapsulates the core of Star Wars, Its metaphorical beating heart. Though the show Isn't so much a love letter to Star Wars, as it is  a reminder of what Star Wars means to so many. I don't know how Lucasfilm does it. Honestly, I don't want to know because that would rob the story of its magic. Perhaps that is the truth, The reality that is missing from the world today. A sense of magic.  Nowadays it is so easy to criticize and argue in the realms of story and intent. The constant dilemma of, why did they do that or they should've done this. This push and pull hap...