Transformers: Dark of The Moon Review

For me this was what summer movies are all about. A movie that has you at the edge of your seat at times from pure excitement. Just like the other Transformer movies, there was a lot of humor and tons of action, with intervals of space to allow the plot to continue. As expected from a Michael Bay film there's some over the top action shots, which aren't that believable, but are very sweet to watch. I do love how once again there were very good shots showing red white and blue and some patriotic little speeches. The best of which being at the end with Optimus Prime giving his final words and Bumble Bee standing in front of a torn and battered US flag still waving free despite the battle's destruction. There's also a sweet scene of Air Force wing suits.
Basically, you will enjoy this film if you go looking for an extremely enjoyable summer movie, if you go expecting the next big Oscar winner, you'll be sorely disappointed.

Warning: Spoilers if you continue.
From the start with the crashing of a ship on the moon in 1961, and the Apollo missions primarily being about exploring this ship, the plot was mostly coherent and sensible. The Autobots work openly and very closely with the US Military out of NEST, commanded by Colonel Lennox (Josh Duhamel). They've just successfully taken out an illegal nuclear facility somewhere in the Middle East (honestly one of my favourite parts), and then the plot for this movie begins with an encounter with Decepticons at Chernobyl. Coming back from Chernobyl they are met by Mearing (Francis McDormand) and Optimus gets a visit from former NASA space program members, including the actual Buzz Aldrin (another highlight) who fully explain to them about the moon.
Sam (Shia LaBeouf) is now living in DC, trying to find that elusive first job in today's economy. His new girlfriend (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) Carly's place is explained, though not exactly what happened to Mikaela (Megan Fox), all we learn through the whole movie is that they broke up. Sam ends up able to get a position working for Bruce Brazos (John Malkovich) who's as odd as you'd expect from him. Jealousy is aroused when Sam seems how Carly is treated by her boss Dylan (Patrick Dempsey).
The movie continues on with the action building, with some twists (expected mostly and a few definitely not expected), until Chicago is all but destroyed with an expected outcome and Sam once again growing up to find what really matters.

John Tuturro, Tyrese Gibson, Glenn Morshower, Kevin Dunn, and Julie White all reprised their various roles. Some great additions were Leonard Nimoy and Alan Tudyk, who's character Dutch was kind of awesome. Speaking of awesome, Scott Krinsky from Chuck was in it as well as one other of the Buy More crew. Bill O'Reilly even made an appearance as himself.
Also there were some parts of the plot which didn't make sense to me like why Wheelie ("I follow warrior goddess") and Mikaela's junk yard dog Bonecrusher, are with Sam, rather than her. Also the twins who were such a slapstick part of Revenge of The Fallen were missing as well as Mojo, Frankie, and the Arcee motorcycles.
The good news for haters and fans alike is that this seems to be the last movie, and Michael Bay appears happy with a trilogy.

Poem

Wrote this, pretty much out of nowhere.

For never a heart was born that could not love
But constantly they choose to forget the above.
Hiding on wings brighter than a dove
Seeking for something dearer than what they knew of.

Hang Together or Separately

Others have said this before me, but clearly some of you need to have it reiterated again and again, so here's my turn.
Splitting the Republican, Libertarian, and Tea vote would be a horrible mistake.
Without a united front we will lose this coming election.
We saw it in Colorado's race for governor. Mays won the Republican nomination, but he wasn't "good enough" for Tancredo and others, so they split the vote. Guess what happened. The Democrat Hickenlooper won.
Now Hickenlooper is no Obama, by any means. But tis a perfect example of what's facing us. The Libertarians and Tea Partiers don't consider any of the national GOP candidates "good enough".
Well that's perfectly fine now, before the primaries. But once the nomination has been made everyone must back that candidate. And I will more than likely be right beside you in thinking they're "not enough", but I understand the importance of this election.
We've all seen the damage Obama has done already. Now imagine five and a half more years of this, instead of just one and a half. Scary image right?
What's ever scarier, is that this might be the last free election we get. If Obama wins, we can't trust we would get another in 2016. And then we would have two choices. Submit to slavery, or shed blood to gain back our beloved Republic.
For myself, I would much rather vote for someone I only half agree with, than risk four more years under the ever nearing tyrannical forms we are seeing.
As always its your vote, but remember what is at stake.
And if you won't listen to me, how about Benjamin Franklin:

We must hang together, gentlemen...else, we shall most assuredly hang separately.

Importance of Sides in The Middle East

When violence began in Egypt, Obama was quick to jump against Mubarak. And when people were being killed in Libya, whilst it took weeks, we launched missiles.
Yet every day dozens of people are being killed by the tyrannical regime of Syria, and the US government is practically ignoring the situation.
Why is it that Syrians, as well as other people like those in Yemen, are not as important to Obama and his administration?
That question is one that Obama should be facing before reelection.
Yet the right isn't pressing him on this either.
Whilst the economy, immigration, and healthcare are all very important issues, his foreign policies can not be ignored!
The government of Syria, a clear enemy of our ally Israel, Obama will not stand against? Nor will he support the Green Movement of Iran, which is one of the most democratic movements in the world, which is struggling against an enemy not only to Israel, but to ourselves. In Egypt, Obama chose a side that has already made threats towards Israel. And in Libya the side we support is known to be made up of our own Al Qaeda enemies.
Now I'm not calling for us to intervene with our own military, but we need to pick the right sides in these struggles. Whoever is going to be President of The United States, needs to make some decisions.
This is not something just the United States should be worrying about. Canada, Europe, and the world should be picking the side of right morally, not just the politically convenient.
The winners of these revolutions will be our future world partners. I can understand not wanting to piss off the wrong person, but support alone could help the right sides win.
In my opinion, choosing right is greatly more important than being politically correct.


Addit:
As I've posted this its come out that US military has in fact been launching air strikes in support of the beleaguered Yemen government, our allies, who are assaulted by Al Qaeda.

Book Excerpt

The following is a teaser excerpt from a book I'm working on...


He'd never seen a creature like this. Clearly some sort of warrior, by the weaponry it carried. He counted eleven blades of different lengths, 2 axes, and 2 spears sheathed upon its body, and then there were the claws attached to the hands. Nasty bit this was going to be.
'Hopefully its friendly' went through his head. Thing was it looked human, except it had fur, and that face was anything but.
'Ok, first contact then.' He couldn't help but inwardly chuckle at that thought. Looked over at it, doubting it would get such a joke.
So far it was just staring at him, not reaching for any of the weapons.
A very good thing that since he was completely unarmed.
Ruurrr. He was very sure it just purred or something at him.
"Hello?" he tried back. Just the slightest flick of its ears to let him know it had even noticed him.

Oklahoma Struck by Tornadoes

Posted on Landmark Report

American Muslim Views on Osama's Death and Burial

Over the past years I've made various contacts who happen to be American Muslims. Most of them are not 'traditional' in that they don't follow the strict dress code, but they do follow most of the laws, especially regarding prayer. These American citizens are predominantly conservative Republicans, who deeply love and believe in the United States of America. They were sickened just as much (maybe more so) by the attacks of 9-11. Some of them have even served or are serving in various branches of the United States military.
I often seek their opinions on matters, as I've they have a unique view point that I could not come up on by myself, and I've found that to be very valuable.

The past few days I've been discussing the death of Osama with them, and the burial at sea.
They are unanimous in their happiness that Bin Laden is finally dead. They see this as a great and necessary event towards the reclamation of what they truly believe to be their peaceful religion, that extremists have been desecrating.
All of them also are upset with President Obama's decision to not show pictures of the body. Most of them in fact believe this is proof that Osama has been dead for a while, but that the United States just now finally found proof and wanted to make it a hero moment, instead of just stating that Bin Laden is dead. That his natural death would have basically been just too anti climatic for the Obama government, so an operation was created for the sake of publicity and glory.
They find Obama's excuse

It is very important for us to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool.

funny, hilarious even, when they consider the burial at sea to be a grave (sorry about the pun) insult and a violation of Muslim burial rights. In fact, everyone of them believes that the watery grave will cause more retaliation than any picture could have. And the body being so quickly disposed of, only increases their conspiracy views.

These are not necessarily my views, but I felt it important to share what American Muslim citizens (at least the ones I know) think about what is going on, as it does matter.

This article was published on Landmark Report May 9, 2011

End of the Osama Era

(written May 2, 2011)



Most likely by now you've heard the news that Osama Bin Laden is dead.
At the news, celebrations began occurring around the world. Most notably in front of the White House, Times Square, and Ground Zero. With spontaneous singing of The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America, and America the Beautiful intermeshed with chants of 'USA! USA!' the crowds reveled in being a united America for a time.
This is a huge morale victory for the United States armed forces and their allies. Specifically Seal Team 6 who went into Pakistan, and accomplished the mission of taking Osama dead or alive.

Perhaps most notably infamous for planning and organizing the 9-11 attacks, in which four commercial airplanes, filled with passengers, were hijacked by al-Qaeda members, and then two of them flown into the world trade center towers and another into the Pentagon, with the fourth crashing in a Pennsylvania field. But that was hardly the only act of Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network. CNN has compiled a longer list.

What made bin Laden such an evil was the creation of al-Qaeda and the collection of terrorist groups contained there in. And here is the danger. Osama may be dead, but al-Qaeda is far from it. The death of their leader will likely cause a backlash of vengeance. American armed forces, and various countries have upgraded their alert level in readiness for a possible response. As President Obama said

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must ---and we will --remain vigilant at home and abroad.

Others have suggested that without Osama to lead them, al-Qaeda will fall apart into disorganized small groups.
We can only hope they will be less effective without him.

For now though, let us remember the victims who lost their lives in the terrorist acts that Bin Laden perpetrated. Let us remember those brave soldiers from various nations which have given their time, sweat, blood, and even lives fighting to end this war that Osama bin Laden began.

But let us also stay ever vigilant in protecting our freedoms, from all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
In the words of former President George W. Bush:

A victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.

God Save The Queen!

(Written April 29)



Like many others around the world, I found myself watching the Royal Wedding as Prince William of Wales and Katherine Middleton took their very public vows. Twas an extremely beautiful, highly ceremonial affair, that the world has not seen the like since 1981 when Prince Charles married Diana Spencer.
Twitter, as with everything that goes on in the world, was full of people loving and hating it. What struck me the most was the people hating on England herself, suggesting things like England still needed to pay back for the war of 1812 or that the United States of America should have nothing to do with England. But one tweet especially caught my eye:

No true American would ever say God save the queen

Now most of those saying such things were clearly just idiots. And I want to state here and now, that the majority of intelligent Americans have the greatest respect for England, Great Britain, the Commonwealths, and the current English monarch.
But for those of you who truly think as that one tweeter did, I clearly need to remind you a little about the last 100 years.
Since the US entry into World War 1 (1917) and especially since Pearl Harbour (December 7, 1941) the greatest ally America has known has been the people of Great Britain, the Commonwealths, and the English monarchy.
British and Commonwealth troops have fought beside our own in almost every war or conflict that we have been involved in. In some cases laying down their lives to save ours.
Let us definitely not forget that it was the British who were the main western defense against Nazism. Had they not kept fighting til America was ready, the world would've likely been overcome.
Yes, before the last century we most definitely had our differences, but we've long ago overcome those, and now have the closest of relationships.
General George S. Patton said it best:

We are two peoples separated by a common language.

I would totally agree with someone who dissed on George III and the monarchy of the early 1800s, but this is not that same monarchy. This is not the dicatorship monarchy that we fought for freedom against, and then were invaded by. This is they very friendly one who ceremoniously leads our greatest friends.
Now I am completely glad and grateful for the system we have, with a lack of monarchy over us, but we aren't discussing our system. We are discussing the system others have chosen to keep for themselves.
Queen Elizabeth II deserves our love and admiration as the official face of England, and to varying degrees the rest of Britain and the Commonwealths.
When discussing her, I strongly believe that no true American would say anything but, God save the Queen!

This was posted on Landmark May 7, 2011

The Censor Strikes Back

The peace loving government of the People's Republic of China has apparently chosen a new enemy, sci fi.
Per the latest guidelines sent out March 31 plots that contain elements of

fantasy, time-travel, random compilations of mythical stories, bizarre plots, absurd techniques, even propagating feudal superstitions, fatalism and reincarnation, ambiguous moral lessons, and a lack of positive thinking. 

are no longer allowed.
This CNN article mostly focuses on time travel, and a few of the big movies that can no longer be shown in freedom loving China. But let's really think about how far this censorship is going.
Fantasy, well that eliminates most sci fi right there, and anything like Lord of The Rings with mythical creatures. Its honestly a very broad term. A good chunk of tv, movies, and books use some form of fantasy. Look at how huge Harry Potter and Twilight are. Magic and Vampires are definitely within the boundaries of fantasy. And of course Star Wars, the ability to control the force is a fantasy power, so no Jedi or Sith allowed. Not to mention dragons, which are extremely tied up witin Chinese identity.
Time Travel has been a part of society since at least the publishing of The Time Traveller. List of tv, movies, and books that use the theory as fact for their basis is quite long. Temporal travel has become a favourite of the Star Trek series. Terminator is based on it. 7 Days, a show I used to enjoy when it was on the air, couldn't have happened without it. And one of my favourite shows of all time Stargate SG1 used it more than a few times, as did its progeny Stargate Atlantis.
But even better are phrases like "bizarre plots", "absurd techniques", "ambiguous moral lessons", and "a lack of positive thinking". Those are so vague and all encompassing anything at anytime could be banned just because a censor felt like it. Even kids shows have all of those. Adult drama's all the more so. We as humans enjoy twists in our stories. And whilst we may really want the happy ending, we are totally accepting when evil does win a bit or someone dies. As much as we enjoy our fiction, it never works without reality being entwined with it.
Worst of all is the real target. Its not a goal of keeping people from enjoying themselves. The real target here is imagination. If people can no longer imagine a world where Marty McFly can travel Back to The Future; or a land where men, orcs, dwarfs, elves, hobbits, and wizards fight in a war over a single ring; or force users with lightsabers duel over the fate of a galaxy far far away; then might not they lose the ability to imagine themselves as free men?

As Americans this should be more than a joking matter. This is a truly serious issue. Our government already censors what we can watch, hear, and read. Lately they have been aiming at controlling the internet as well. Do you really think that those who want that control, wouldn't love to make it so all we could see, hear, and feel was puppies, rainbows, and unicorns?
We need to pay attention now, and make sure our government never gets close to limiting us so much.

(This article can also be found on Landmark Report