This past week, Disney's live-action remake of 'Beauty and the Beast' came to theaters. Since it is a remake of one of my favorite movies of all time, I had to see it. Does it compare to the original or is it another disaster? There may be spoilers ahead so read with caution. With that out of the way, let's see if this movie is a beauty or a beast.
I will break it down into 4 parts: characters, story, music and general impressions. Let's start with the characters. I will limit myself to main characters. Belle was portrayed well and came across as clever and independent as you imagine. I didn't agree with the casting at first but Emma Watson did a very good job. My only issue was that while she was in her blue peasant outfit, she kept part of her skirt tucked up so you could see her undergarments (pantalets). I still like the original Belle, but Emma Watson was good too. Now for the Beast....I did not particularly like some of the makeup choices for his look. I felt that his horns were pointing in the wrong direction (in the original they curved forward) and too big. I also realized later that his tail was not like a bushy dog's tail but more like a lion in this one. He sounded and came across as you'd imagine. The Beast was good, like Belle, but not better than the original.
On the remaining cast, I will say that all the rest were okay. Gaston came across better than I thought he would and LeFou was funny yet almost too obvious in his affections for Gaston. The enchanted objects were all portrayed wonderfully. I did have a design issue with a few of them. Lumiere looked like a candelabra when Maurice first entered the castle. When he began moving, he looked like a little gold man holding candles in his hands and on his head. Why was there such a difference between his looks? It should have been one look - a candelabra. This feels like an incredibly lazy animation choice. Instead of figuring out how to animate a candelabra, they just animated a man. Also, the feather duster...why was it shaped like a white peacock? It was lovely but it didn't say feather duster to me. And finally, the wardrobe.... I am not a fan of this design from the odd shape and the curtains inside used to make a 'face'. I think they took some ideas from the Broadway costumes but it still is not the best. They should have stuck with the animated appearance.
Now for the story.....it was okay. A few things were changed around as was expected. There were a few plot hole fixes from the original story. However, I felt that while Belle and Beast were given more depth, Gaston was still the same - arrogant, uneducated, and a jerk. It was strange considering how most other villains lately are usually made to be more approachable and thusly less evil. Gaston was just the same. He wanted Belle and that was his focus for the entire movie. The story also seemed rushed. The animated feature seemed to span a good a bit of time (fall to winter) while this one seemed to take literally days. I find it hard to believe that love happens that quickly. Overall, the story was okay since it was faithful enough to the original so that it didn't feel like an entirely different story.
Now for my favorite part - the music. I had a few issues with it. First of all, the wardrobe's singing was too over the top for my taste but she was supposed to be an opera singer so it made sense. The songs that were added to the movie were not that good. With the exception of the song sung by the enchanted objects while the Beast recuperates, all the other songs were not very memorable. I wish that 'If I Can't Love Her' and 'Human Again' were in this movie. They would have been stunning. The Beast's song was good, but it does not have the power that 'If I Can't Love Her' does. Oh and for the record, I have not seen the Broadway version, I only have the soundtrack which is amazing. I imagined the Beast singing 'If I Can't Love Her' during his solo and I could not see why they didn't just use that song. It would have been wonderful.
The other songs that were in the movie, like the original, were wonderful yet something about them seemed off. They changed the key or the speed of certain songs so they sounded slightly different from the originals but that was okay. The biggest thing about the music is that I didn't have the urge to buy the soundtrack. I still don't see the point of buying the soundtrack since I have the soundtracks to the original and the Broadway versions. Still, it was nice to have the music in the movie, unlike the remake of Cinderella which was devoid of music except for one song which literally had nothing to do with Cinderella...'Lavender Blue, Dilly-Dilly'.
General impressions were that it was a good movie. It was visually stunning in many parts, especially 'Be Our Guest'. Overall, it was good, but it felt that they were trying so hard to 'fix' parts of the original that they lost what made the original so good. Also, Belle's gold dress was nice, but it wasn't as grand as the original design. I think the new doll's dress looks better. It didn't matter anyway since she dropped it in the mud at the end because it was faster to ride in her undergarments...but I digress. The movie was good, I would watch it again, but it doesn't hold up to the original.
And that's my review of Beauty and the Beast. I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. Leave a comment below telling me your thoughts on this movie. Was the dress not enough? Were the characters memorable? Was the music amazing? You know my opinion, now tell me yours. Have a good weekend and as always, keep on gaming!!
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Top 10 Green Pokemon - A St. Patrick's Day Post
Before we get started, I just want to say that any images that I use on this blog, unless I say otherwise, do not belong to me. All rights go to the images' respective owners. Now, back to the post! In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I thought I would take a look at the best green Pokémon. To qualify, the Pokémon must be mostly (70% or more) green, in one shade or another. Now, let's look at our Top 10 Green Pokémon!
10. Bulbasaur
I was hesitant to add this to the list because between generations 2 and 6, Bulbasaur was depicted as more of a blue color with a green bulb on its back. In generation 6, it got much greener (yet its evolutions retained their blue color). I know it deserves a spot on this list so that's why it's in the number 10 spot.
9. Caterpie
Say what you will about the little green caterpillar, but it wears green very well. Its stylish yellow accents help highlight the green without overpowering it.
8. Serperior
This Pokémon gives green a more regal look. Its green skin looks more like a fine coat and its white face adds emphasis without detracting from the green.
7. Turtwig
There are a lot of starters on here but they all deserve to be here like Turtwig. Its green is just enough to emphasize his Grass typing without making him look too cartoonish.
6. Chikorita
Another starter, I know, but Chikorita's green is too cute to not be on this list. The darker green accents help highlight its appearance and give some interest to what could have been a very bland, all green Pokémon design.
5. Celebi
I wanted to avoid legendaries, but this little guy had to be on this list. I don't think green has ever been cuter.
4. Cacturne
Here's a case of green actually being used to show a secondary typing. Cacturne has few colors to it yet the design actually seems to emphasize its secondary Dark typing. I like the sinister look green gets with this Pokémon.
3. Roselia
This one is another design that shows the use of color only where it needs to be. Roselia has multiple shades of green with a tiny bit of yellow and of course, its trademark red and blue roses.
2. Cottonee
I originally thought this Pokémon was mostly white. I looked at its sprite again and noticed that it was actually mostly green. The shade was so light that I thought it was white. Generation 6 brightened the green so now it's more apparent. The green is just right for this little leafy cloud so it floats right into the number two spot.
1. Vivillon - Garden Pattern
Vivillon's patterns were limited to different regions so wonder trade was the only way to get other patterns if you were a collector like me. This pattern, green wings with lighter green flowers and dark green accents, is perhaps one of the better patterns. It is so beautiful and it uses only the barest hint of red to really push the design over the top. This is why this Pokémon gets the number one spot.
Honorable mentions: Minior - Green Core Form, Petilil, Treecko, Scyther, Skiploom, Flygon, Budew, Virizion
And that's it for this week's post. I hope you enjoyed this little holiday themed post and will Follow me so you don't miss out of future posts. Leave a comment down below telling me your favorite green Pokémon and why. Have a good weekend and as always, keep on gaming.
10. Bulbasaur
I was hesitant to add this to the list because between generations 2 and 6, Bulbasaur was depicted as more of a blue color with a green bulb on its back. In generation 6, it got much greener (yet its evolutions retained their blue color). I know it deserves a spot on this list so that's why it's in the number 10 spot.
9. Caterpie
Say what you will about the little green caterpillar, but it wears green very well. Its stylish yellow accents help highlight the green without overpowering it.
8. Serperior
This Pokémon gives green a more regal look. Its green skin looks more like a fine coat and its white face adds emphasis without detracting from the green.
7. Turtwig
There are a lot of starters on here but they all deserve to be here like Turtwig. Its green is just enough to emphasize his Grass typing without making him look too cartoonish.
6. Chikorita
Another starter, I know, but Chikorita's green is too cute to not be on this list. The darker green accents help highlight its appearance and give some interest to what could have been a very bland, all green Pokémon design.
5. Celebi
I wanted to avoid legendaries, but this little guy had to be on this list. I don't think green has ever been cuter.
4. Cacturne
Here's a case of green actually being used to show a secondary typing. Cacturne has few colors to it yet the design actually seems to emphasize its secondary Dark typing. I like the sinister look green gets with this Pokémon.
3. Roselia
This one is another design that shows the use of color only where it needs to be. Roselia has multiple shades of green with a tiny bit of yellow and of course, its trademark red and blue roses.
2. Cottonee
I originally thought this Pokémon was mostly white. I looked at its sprite again and noticed that it was actually mostly green. The shade was so light that I thought it was white. Generation 6 brightened the green so now it's more apparent. The green is just right for this little leafy cloud so it floats right into the number two spot.
1. Vivillon - Garden Pattern
Vivillon's patterns were limited to different regions so wonder trade was the only way to get other patterns if you were a collector like me. This pattern, green wings with lighter green flowers and dark green accents, is perhaps one of the better patterns. It is so beautiful and it uses only the barest hint of red to really push the design over the top. This is why this Pokémon gets the number one spot.
Honorable mentions: Minior - Green Core Form, Petilil, Treecko, Scyther, Skiploom, Flygon, Budew, Virizion
And that's it for this week's post. I hope you enjoyed this little holiday themed post and will Follow me so you don't miss out of future posts. Leave a comment down below telling me your favorite green Pokémon and why. Have a good weekend and as always, keep on gaming.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Top 5 Alolan Forms I Want to See in Pokemon Stars
The internet has been buzzing with a new Pokémon game rumor since Sun and Moon came out. Even though it is not certain when Pokémon Stars, or so it is called for now, will come out, it still gives fans plenty of time to ponder what will this new game will bring. I'm hoping for more Pokémon - especially Alolan forms, which is what this post is about. So, here is my list of top 5 Alolan forms that I want to see in Pokémon Stars.
5. Alolan Farfetch'd
Okay, so I like Farfetch'd, so what? I think this Pokémon is severely underrated and this will give it a chance to shine.
4. Alolan Vileplume
I really think this could work so well in Alola. Vileplume's flower could be easily adapted to a more tropical appearance.
3. Alolan Growlithe
I admit that I was very disappointed to see that this Alolan form didn't happen. A water-type Growlithe would be amazing! Just look at it!
2. Alolan Butterfree
I know I sound like a broken record, but I feel that Butterfree is one of the forgotten Kanto Pokémon. It needs something - either a new form or a mega, I don't care. Please, if Beedrill gets something, why can't Butterfree?
1. Alolan Arbok
If you read my last post, you will have seen this one coming. I did not appreciate the 't-shirt tease' that we got of an Alolan Arbok. I imagine that it would be Ground-type. I think Rough Skin and Dry Skin would be great abilities for it to have. Oh and this image is different because I wanted to try a new technique of image editing but didn't have time to re-do the other forms.
Well, that's it for this week's post. Follow me if you enjoyed this post so you don't miss out on future posts. Leave a comment below telling me which Alolan forms you would like to see in the next game. Have a good weekend, and as always, keep on gaming!
5. Alolan Farfetch'd
Okay, so I like Farfetch'd, so what? I think this Pokémon is severely underrated and this will give it a chance to shine.
4. Alolan Vileplume
I really think this could work so well in Alola. Vileplume's flower could be easily adapted to a more tropical appearance.
3. Alolan Growlithe
I admit that I was very disappointed to see that this Alolan form didn't happen. A water-type Growlithe would be amazing! Just look at it!
2. Alolan Butterfree
I know I sound like a broken record, but I feel that Butterfree is one of the forgotten Kanto Pokémon. It needs something - either a new form or a mega, I don't care. Please, if Beedrill gets something, why can't Butterfree?
1. Alolan Arbok
If you read my last post, you will have seen this one coming. I did not appreciate the 't-shirt tease' that we got of an Alolan Arbok. I imagine that it would be Ground-type. I think Rough Skin and Dry Skin would be great abilities for it to have. Oh and this image is different because I wanted to try a new technique of image editing but didn't have time to re-do the other forms.
Well, that's it for this week's post. Follow me if you enjoyed this post so you don't miss out on future posts. Leave a comment below telling me which Alolan forms you would like to see in the next game. Have a good weekend, and as always, keep on gaming!
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Top 10 Yu-Gi-Oh Archetypes That Need A Structure Deck
Ah, it's March and new beginnings are all around us. It's a time of opportunity and hope. Speaking of hope, mine was dashed when I heard the news that one of the Yu-Gi-Oh OCG structure decks, Pendulum Evolution, was not going to be released in the TCG as a structure deck. It will be a booster pack. I love structure decks. They are only 10 bucks and include 40 cards including sometimes new cards and a few valuable reprints. There are some cards that I have never gotten through their booster packs but did get in a structure deck. Back to the point, I loved the cards listed for the OCG structure deck and was excited to get this deck because of all the cool magicians. The booster pack, even though all-foil, is a huge let-down. It means that we'll have to spend more money to get the cards that we want-even though it hasn't been confirmed that all of the structure deck's cards will be in the set. I hope it will happen but still, it is not great. However, it did get me thinking about that structure decks I would like to see in the future. So, how about a top 5? No, let's make it a top 10! So here are my top 10 archetypes that need their own structure deck!!
10. Melodious
Zuzu Boyle's Melodious monsters have been my favorite archetype of the Arc-V series. A structure deck of these would be music to my ears-er, eyes?
9. Blackwings
Crow Hogan is one of my favorite characters from 5Ds (and Arc-V) and there are so many Blackwing cards out that a structure deck could and should happen.
8. Toons
Pegasus' colorful and crazy Toon cards were some of my favorites from the original series. A structure deck of these would be amazing since Toon cards are still being made. Just imagine the fun!
7. Cyber Angels
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX introduced us to Alexis Rhodes and her Cyber Angels. With the release of her ritual monsters (finally) a structure deck would more than be reasonable. I could finally get my hands on enough of the cards to make a deck.
6. Gem-Knights
A surprise from the Arc-V series was my growing appreciation for Julia's Gem-Knights. The cards first came out in one of the Hidden Arsenal packs but I never realized how powerful they were until now. A structure deck of these would give this archetype a real chance to shine.
5. Crystal Beasts
Remember Jesse Anderson and his Crystal Beasts? Another archetype from the GX era, they were so cool but so hard to collect. A structure deck would help collectors get the old (and new) cards that make this archetype to wonderful including Rainbow Dragon which I still don't have.
4. Rose
This is all about Akiza's cards in 5Ds even though its not exactly an archetype. I loved her Black Rose Dragon and was happy to get the tin for it. The rest of her Rose cards have not been as easy to get (especially the synchros). A structure deck of these (or any plant cards) would be a welcome change from all the zombies, warriors, dragons, spellcasters, dinosaurs, and machines.
3. Harpies
These were the cards first used by Mai Valentine in the original series. Many support cards have come out since then so they are still relevant. I have wanted a Harpie structure deck for so long just to be able to collect some of the cards (Harpie's Feather Duster, Harpie Queen, etc). Please, Konami, make this happen!
2. Red-Eyes
If Blue-Eyes White Dragon gets it's own structure deck, then Red-Eyes should be able to as well. This iconic card originally belonged to Rex Raptor but was lost to Joey Wheeler where it stayed (until in GX they showed Atticus Rhodes using a Red-Eyes deck). This is not exactly an archetype but like I said-if Blue-Eyes can do it, so can Red-Eyes.
1. Amazoness
Another Mai Valentine original that was later used in GX by Tania. I feel that this archetype, like Harpie, is vastly underrated. However,I have heard that they will be used in Arc-V as well (I watch the dub not the original so no spoilers please). This gives me hope that maybe they will get the structure deck they deserve.
Honorable mentions:
Gravekeepers, Fortune Ladies, Vampires, Gishkis, Gustos, Elemental Charmers, Mermail, Naturia, Ice Barrier, Ninjas, Spirits, Vylons, Flamvell, Morphtronic, Vehicroids, Butterspies, Lunalight, Madolche, and any other archetype that was only in Hidden Arsenal packs.
Basically, if there are enough cards out there to make a deck - why not a structure deck so duelists can acquire the cards they need at an affordable price? Well, we can always hope.
Well, that does it for this post. I hope you enjoyed it and will follow me for future posts. Leave a comment below telling me which archetypes you think deserve a structure deck. Have a good weekend and as always, keep on gaming!
10. Melodious
Zuzu Boyle's Melodious monsters have been my favorite archetype of the Arc-V series. A structure deck of these would be music to my ears-er, eyes?
9. Blackwings
Crow Hogan is one of my favorite characters from 5Ds (and Arc-V) and there are so many Blackwing cards out that a structure deck could and should happen.
8. Toons
Pegasus' colorful and crazy Toon cards were some of my favorites from the original series. A structure deck of these would be amazing since Toon cards are still being made. Just imagine the fun!
7. Cyber Angels
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX introduced us to Alexis Rhodes and her Cyber Angels. With the release of her ritual monsters (finally) a structure deck would more than be reasonable. I could finally get my hands on enough of the cards to make a deck.
6. Gem-Knights
A surprise from the Arc-V series was my growing appreciation for Julia's Gem-Knights. The cards first came out in one of the Hidden Arsenal packs but I never realized how powerful they were until now. A structure deck of these would give this archetype a real chance to shine.
5. Crystal Beasts
Remember Jesse Anderson and his Crystal Beasts? Another archetype from the GX era, they were so cool but so hard to collect. A structure deck would help collectors get the old (and new) cards that make this archetype to wonderful including Rainbow Dragon which I still don't have.
4. Rose
This is all about Akiza's cards in 5Ds even though its not exactly an archetype. I loved her Black Rose Dragon and was happy to get the tin for it. The rest of her Rose cards have not been as easy to get (especially the synchros). A structure deck of these (or any plant cards) would be a welcome change from all the zombies, warriors, dragons, spellcasters, dinosaurs, and machines.
3. Harpies
These were the cards first used by Mai Valentine in the original series. Many support cards have come out since then so they are still relevant. I have wanted a Harpie structure deck for so long just to be able to collect some of the cards (Harpie's Feather Duster, Harpie Queen, etc). Please, Konami, make this happen!
2. Red-Eyes
If Blue-Eyes White Dragon gets it's own structure deck, then Red-Eyes should be able to as well. This iconic card originally belonged to Rex Raptor but was lost to Joey Wheeler where it stayed (until in GX they showed Atticus Rhodes using a Red-Eyes deck). This is not exactly an archetype but like I said-if Blue-Eyes can do it, so can Red-Eyes.
1. Amazoness
Another Mai Valentine original that was later used in GX by Tania. I feel that this archetype, like Harpie, is vastly underrated. However,I have heard that they will be used in Arc-V as well (I watch the dub not the original so no spoilers please). This gives me hope that maybe they will get the structure deck they deserve.
Honorable mentions:
Gravekeepers, Fortune Ladies, Vampires, Gishkis, Gustos, Elemental Charmers, Mermail, Naturia, Ice Barrier, Ninjas, Spirits, Vylons, Flamvell, Morphtronic, Vehicroids, Butterspies, Lunalight, Madolche, and any other archetype that was only in Hidden Arsenal packs.
Basically, if there are enough cards out there to make a deck - why not a structure deck so duelists can acquire the cards they need at an affordable price? Well, we can always hope.
Well, that does it for this post. I hope you enjoyed it and will follow me for future posts. Leave a comment below telling me which archetypes you think deserve a structure deck. Have a good weekend and as always, keep on gaming!
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