Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Review

                I’m going to save certain people a lot of time and just say that if you’re a purist and not a huge fan of Michael Bay, don’t bother watching this movie. So much has been changed because of this new generation of CGI and demand for fresh ideas, the origin tale has been completely altered. However, for people like me who will give anything a chance and keep an open mind, there’s hope for you. This movie does have something to offer for the ones like me who grew up with the famous heroes in a half shell. When this reboot was first announced, people were skeptical and the fact that it was produced by Michael Bay wasn’t giving purist fans confidence.

                These are the same people that grew up watching Transformers and absolutely hated the movies with a passion. Personally I like most of them with the exception of the second one, Revenge of the Fallen. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is going to have the same problem because while Michael Bay didn’t direct, his touch of over the top action minus in depth storyline is visible throughout the whole movie. There’s not much character development and the acting is more or less novice at best by Will Arnett whom plays camera for Megan fox who plays the famous friend of the turtles, April O’Neal.

                The only good acting I saw was through the side villain played by William Fichtner. He plays a wealthy business man Eric Sacks whom has dark intentions as he is later revealed to be working with the infamous Shredder, leader of the foot clan. While some things stay true to the original point of the foot soldiers, it’s disappointing that they seem to be more mercenaries than actual ninjas. Shredder’s true identity is kept in the dark, probably to save it for another movie. When he gets into his armor, it’s all shock and awe with a dazzling new look but once he shows off all his equipment, it quickly begins to go over the top.

                The character traits of the turtles is accurate in all of them with Leonardo the leader, Raphael is the hot head, Donatello is the genius and Michelangelo is the fun loving kid of the group. I know everyone was thinking the turtles were too big from all the previews but once you see the origin story then it makes some sense but I do agree their look could’ve been toned down a bit. The fight chorography was excellent, especially when getting to see Splinter fight and he has good amount of fight time in the movie. I wasn’t that excited since I saw Yoda fight in Star Wars: Attack of The Clones.

                The ending leaves plenty of room for a sequel and there is a special Easter egg for a possible villain in the sequel if there is one. I’m not sure this is going to be the great comeback that fans were hoping for. With all the fighting and explosions that go on, there is virtually no room for any kind of connection with the characters so people who never even heard of the turtles will get lost real quick. So much dialogue was rushed in certain scenes and without any explanation, the people that don’t know the turtles will be left wonder what the hell were they talking about? As far as the kids go, they’ll love it because it’s the turtles and they’ll love watching it and wanting to be a turtle.

                I remember the Turtles back when I was little and I would wake up early every morning to catch their show back in the 80s. I’ve watched all of their movies and haven’t really had any complaints because I try to keep an open mind. This one was no exception but I have to admit I wanted to be nice but I can’t. I have to give this movie a 6 out of 10 because it will entertain the kids you bring to the theaters but some will disagree with this next generation of TMNT. This movie can only be described as a 90 minute roller coaster ride that gives tons of excitement but was over just as fast as it began.

                Would I pay to see this movie again? No, I know it definitely wasn’t worth the 3D pricing but I have to realize this wasn’t made for me. It’s meant for this generation and I’m sure they will love this. It’s meant for the kids who know about this generation of the Ninja Turtles, not the Ninja Turtles I grew up with in the 80s with a wimpy shredder, mousers, Technodromes and a talking brain. There is no talking brain, no mousers, and definitely no wimpy shredder. This movie was not bad but it could’ve been so much better if they took more time to explain situations instead of leaving huge holes in the middle of the movie.

Megan Fox could’ve used more film time as April O’Neal so the audience could connect with her and Will Arnett’s character was so irrelevant I don’t recall hearing his name in the movie. It was a waste of his talent that could’ve been filled by someone else. I didn’t grow up with Transformers but I did with the turtles so now I understand what those purists went through when Transformers came out. However I didn’t shut this movie out and I wouldn’t suggest you do either because this is merely my opinion. Personally, I’m still a fan of Michelangelo and I still love wanting to be a turtle. 

Leo Clarkson is available now!

Get your free copy of Leo Clarkson right now. People do change. http://www.amazon.com/Leo-Clarkson-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00MF8BOZK/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407427259&sr=1-1&keywords=anthony+labson

Leo Clarkson, has lived his life in solitude and makes a living by becoming a contract killer. Hate is all he knows and misery is his only friend while he lives near the bayous outside of New Orleans. However things change when a simple contract becomes a lot more complicated than usual. This begins to take Leo down an unknown path that will be the start of a longer journey. Leo will go through a rapid transformation in order to save a life instead of taking one.

Being hired by Tony Giovanni, the most powerful mob boss in New Orleans. Leo is contracted to kill one of the people committed to putting him behind bars, Sara Casserly. Leo finds that the contract is harder to carry out when he realizes that the person means something to him. Because of the personal history the two share, Leo goes against everything that a professional should do and fights to protect her from the crime lord. Now Giovanni must call upon another professional to handle the situation before Leo attempts to kill him and save Sara from a grim fate. With Leo fighting the odds and his own personal battle, he must find a way to show that this time he can be a hero, not a killer. This is the first part of The Leo Trilogy.

Enjoy what you read and hopefully by the end we will see if Leo, a man who has only known violence and death can find salvation and peace. It will be a long journey but at the end of it all we will see how one person can change a person for the better. The real question is, will Leo be able to be the hero he wants to be or go back to being a ruthless killer? Enjoy Leo: The Cold Killer and if you like what you read then keep in touch when part two, Leo: Government Issue is released. Until the next is written.

Faces of the Mass

Faces in the Mass

By

Anthony Labson

I am one out of countless others.

Some can be recognized faster

while others are easily ignored

but all are equally valued.

Spending my years among the mass

I’ve realized something about popularity.

Popularity doesn’t matter because in our end

we are all forgotten and time moves on.

It’s lonely at the top

and need to be around energy.

I need to be around life

and I need to be around the mass.

I need to be around the baby faces.

The ones who were born and

never really grew up,

staying forever cute.

I need to be around the beards.

The ones that say to hell

with standards and use it

as a form of expression and pride.

I need to be around the independent.

The ones who stand alone

and symbolize the strength of

individuality.

I need to be around the lovers.

The few that put others before themselves

that spread affection around like a wildfire.

We need more of them.

The ones who ignore the mass

only ensure oblivion.

I would rather be remembered by

the few that loved me instead of the millions

that never met me. 

Guardians of the Galaxy

    Guardians of the Galaxy is no doubt the last great hit of the summer with an awesome performance by Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, and Chirs Pratt. When I first heard about this, I honestly didn't pay this any attention because I knew nothing about the group. I was introduced to them through the television series Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes then I was hooked because I loved the characters Groot and Raccoon Rocket. After I saw them, I thought they were good side characters but I never thought they would have their own movie.
    But tonight, I was proven wrong and this turned out to be their biggest movie right next to X-Men: Days of Future's Past. The film had everything from drama, action and tons of comedy, mostly because of Chris Pratt who plays Starlord, the leader of the Guardians. Everything starts with Star Lord's past when he was called by his Earth name, Peter Quill. After a tragic loss, he's abducted and spends most of his youth in space and working for a group of thieves then later comes into contact with an artifact. After retrieving it, a huge bounty is placed on his head and that reaches the ears of the rest of his soon to be allies and future foe.
    When united with a common goal, the gang travels across space to reach their destination and avoid capture from galactic enforcement and the main nemesis, Ronan. Ronan is a former accuser of the Kree Empire whom isn't pleased his people signed a piece treaty with their enemy, Xandar, a planet protected by Nova Prime the galactic law enforcement. So he decides to go after Starlord to retrieve the artifact for the powerful Titan known as Thanos and in return, Thanos would destroy Xandar. This will be the first time that the fans will get to see Thanos in all of his glory and you definitely don't want to go to the restroom during that moment.
    Josh Brolin first appears as Thanos and let me tell you, everyone cheered at the sight of the famous villian. As the movie goes on, more is revealed about the artifact that makes the group realize that there are bigger things in the galaxy besides themselves and their own selfish desires. Only when certain death is near do they finally come together and fight back in defense of Xandar and their reputation is established. Marvel had so much faith in this movie, they announced the sequel before finding out if it was a bomb or not. This goes to show that when it's backed by Disney, satisfaction is practically guaranteed.
    People like me who know nothing about this movie will enjoy it and for those that know a lot, I can't say the same because you know more than me. From a fresh point of view, this movie will make millions easily and a sequel will definitely be coming. Also yes there is something at the end of the credits but nothing during so feel free to take a pee break if you have too. A solid 10 out of 10 for this movie but for those wondering about the 3D, not worth the extra money. It's almost bittersweet because we won't see anything Marvel again until Ant Man in July of 2015 and Avengers: Age of Ultron a month later but Marvel has ended this year on a high note. 
      

Hercules and Hollywood Don't Mix

    I recently saw Hercules staring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and to get to the point, it was a good movie. It could've been better but when comparing it to past Hercules movies, this was the best out of all of them. For those that know me know I'm not a big Brett Ratner fan, I think the only movie that I enjoyed his work in was Tower Heist and Family Man. His movies are generally a hit or miss and this one wasn't a hit on the bullseye but it at least landed on the target which is what most Hercules films haven't done. For those that haven't seen or know what the movie is about, I'll give you a quick run down.
    The movie starts with Hercules becoming a shell of a former hero after the death of his family and in his depression, he finds a meaning to become that hero once again. After enduring his legendary labors, Hercules becomes a warrior for hire and is hired by a king to aid him in his war against a bloodthirsty nemesis. On this journey, he encounters many mythological creatures that gets the audience excited and keeps them in their seats. Overall, it was a good action summer movie much like Transformers: Age of Extinction and The Rock puts on one hell of a performance as the famous hero.
    Hercules has been an admired name for centuries and many have answered the call to portray the figure but when it comes to live action, there is a jinx. In the 1960s famous body builders Lou Ferrigno and Arnold Schwarzenegger have tried and while they fit the physical requirement, the films themselves were just terrible. Kevin Sorbo did a decent job in the famous Hercules: The Legendary Journey back in the 1990s but let's be honest, he looked nothing like you would expect a son of Zeus to be. Earlier this year The Legend of Hercules came out and to say it bombed would be putting it nicely.
    That movie is probably rated the worst movie related to Hercules to date so when I heard about this version, I knew it was going to be an improvement. This is the first Hercules movie where physical requirements and good story meet but if there's one problem people may have a problem with. It's the accuracy in the Greek Mythology, I'm not an expert but I'm sure there is one or two mishaps in the film. However, I categorize this as an action film so I give it some slack. This is a good movie to go and enjoy if you're looking for something to do and want to be entertained.
    This movie gets a 7 out of 10 because The Rock gave a fantastic performance and while the story seemed too simplistic and obvious, it was executed well. I'm not a well known critic so I know it won't mean much but Brett Ratner did a good job with this film. Will there be a sequel? I have no clue but sadly like most of Hercules movies, it there is it may not go far. Lou Ferrigno's Hercules only made it to a sequel and this film didn't even make it to the number one spot it's opening week. It was beaten by Scarlett Johansson's in Lucy, so that definitely hurt it's chances. We'll have to see if it makes enough money to warrant a sequel.
 

Personal Belief

The greatest trick human beings ever pulled is convincing themselves that they were in control.

I Felt So Bad For This Man

Blame

By

Anthony Labson

All society has every preached

is do the right thing

and always follow the rules

to have a wonderful life.

Bullshit!

My family did this to me.

They said that they loved me

and they knew what was best for me

so I never questioned their judgment.

Liars!

My teachers thought they were guiding me.

That they showed me how to succeed

but all they did was make sure moved with the cattle

and made sure to keep applying for financial aid.

Thieves!

Where is God in all of this?

I read the books, I studied the songs

and I kept to the traditions and yet

I suffer only because he loves me so much?

Libel!

All I ever did was what I was told to do

and I never did anything wrong and for what?!

To be in so much debt that I’m stuck with my parents

and can’t afford a fast food meal?

No pride, no self-respect and no hope.

Everyone did this to me

so why are they so happy

while I’m here suffering because of them?