Top 10 Movies of 2014 That I've Only Got to Watch in January

This is the first time I’m doing a top ten list on movies of a particular year which I’ve only had the opportunity of watching during the January of the subsequent year.  This won’t necessarily be a regular thing.  Probably only when I’ve got to see enough movies from the previous year of a January, and most of them are notable and compelling enough to make a list for.  Just like the case with this time, there are several good movies that weren’t able to make my best 2014 movie list because I wasn’t able to see them last year but I got to see them this past January.

      

10.) INTO THE WOODS

At first, I thought that the premise of Into the Woods – a musical mashup of some Grimms’ fairy tales – was an original Disney idea.  I found the whole concept creative and was impressed.  But I learned later on that this was actually an adaptation of a Broadway musical.  I don’t know why, but this discovery somewhat lessened my admiration for this movie (hence, it’s only number 10).  Nonetheless, this movie offers solid performances from a charming cast, a pessimistic but relatable take on “happily ever afters”, appealing musical numbers, and pretty production values – resulting to a fine piece of entertainment for the whole family.

9.) STAND BY ME DORAEMON

I’ve always been a Doraemon fan (I love the anime and the character), and I had been always meaning to watch this movie last year but I somehow forgot to check it out.  It was only in January that I remembered all about it.  

I first thought that this would serve as the finale of the Doraemon story, but it’s merely a loose adaptation of the whole thing, which is kind of a bummer.  The story isn’t that special, but the gorgeous visuals made watching this movie a truly delightful experience.

8.) FOXCATCHER

There are three reasons to watch this movie: First, Steve Carell; second, Channing Tatum; and, third, Mark Ruffalo.  One would expect a comedy film with these three names headlining a movie.  But what they did in Foxcatcheris quite the opposite of their goofy reputations as these three delivered stellar dramatic performances in this movie that tells the tragic story between the multimillionaire John E. du Pont and wrestling Olympic gold medalists, brothers Mark and Dave Schultz.  I was stunned that they – especially Carell and Tatum – are actually capable of such kind of acting depth. 

By the way, I also want to commend the flawless make-up job done on the characters (especially on Carell).    

7.) TIME LAPSE

This is far from Primer, but it has the same simple but smart “time-travel” charm (thought it’s not really a time-travel movie) as that cult sci-fi favorite.  The plot revolves on three friends (one of which is Caitlin from The Flash) who discovered a machine that takes a picture 24 hours into the future and used it to improve their fortunes.  The narrative is not exactly mindblowing, but it’s consistently intriguing all throughout.    

6.) THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA

It’s technically a 2013 Japanese film (produced by the wonderful Studio Ghibli), but it was in 2014 that it was widely screened in theaters and film festivals.  It also had its DVD and Blu-ray release in 2014.  Hence, it only become widespread, if not also accessible, in 2014, so I will consider this as a 2014 film.  

I’m already aware of the plot of the folk tale this animated movie is based from, so I didn’t have the benefit of having the narrative be new and surprising to me.  But I still completely enjoyed watching the story unfold due to the “watercolor book” appeal of its animation approach.

5.) THE WIND RISES

Same with the previous entry, The Wind Rises is a Studio Ghibli film that was released in 2013 in Japan, but became only widespread in 2014 (though this movie qualified to be nominated for last year’s Oscars, while The Tale of Princess Kaguya is nominated for this year’s) so I will consider this as a 2014 film.  The Wind Rises is a fictional biography of real-life person Jiro Horikoshi, the creator of the formidably deadly Japanese Zero fighter planes of WW2. 

Jiro, in the film, was portrayed as a passionate airplane enthusiast, whose dream of becoming a pilot was taken away from him because of his poor eyesight.   Still, he managed to get to work with his beloved planes by becoming an engineer.  His passion and pride for making planes led him to design powerful war planes, something he would greatly regret.  Aside from his heartbreak with airplanes, his love story turned out to be tragic as well.   So Jiro really ended up as an engrossing, well-layered character that made the ones watching the movie utterly invested to his sad, glorious story.   

4.) BIRDMAN

Birdman tells the story of Riggan Thomson (fantastically played by Michael Keaton), a washed-up Hollywood star – who had made his name decades ago by playing the superhero, Birdman, in a series of movies – struggling to accomplish artistic validation by producing, writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway play.  Throughout the movie, he is plagued by the voice of Birdman, mocking him of his career choices, as well as seemingly conducting acts of telekinesis and levitation – though greatly implied in the middle of the movie as the workings of his delusional, overwrought mind.  However, in the final scene, the supposition of his powers merely being imaginary is thrown out of the window (pardon the pun – you’ll get it if you’ve seen the movie), so we’re not really sure if his powers are real or not.  It’s an amazingly crazy and unique movie made more notable because of its inspired cinematography style (that gives the illusion that only one camera is used to follow the story, and that the narrative is captured in just one continuous shot). 

   

3.) THE IMITATION GAME

I admit that I’m particularly excited about watching The Imitation Gamebecause it stars Benedict Cumberbatch, who is probably my most favorite actor right now.  Cumberbatch’s demeanour as Alan Turing was wonderfully almost similar to his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes (the character that propelled him to this level of fame) in the brilliant Sherlock TV series.   This might not please everyone, but it totally worked for me.  Despite the similarities, Cumberbatch’s Alan Turing still turned out to be a distinctive character.    Hence, it effectively worked in making the movie an excellent character-driven historical thriller on Alan Turing, the cryptoanalyst and pioneering computer scientist, who significantly contributed in breaking Germany’s Enigma code back in WW2.       

2.) JOHN WICK

This is probably Keanu Reeves’ greatest movie since The Matrix.  Reeves plays the titular character, John Wick, a retired Russian mafia hitman who went on a vengeance spree after the son of his former  employer – the head of the Russian mob in New York – unwittingly assaulted him and killed the dog that his recently deceased wife (the reason he abandoned his former life) had left him.   The movie features a compelling action hero, a chic plot, a good amount of magnificent action sequences, and an interesting interpretation of the New York underworld.  Man, I hope John Wick is the start of a franchise.      

1.) AMERICAN SNIPER

This is definitely one of 2014’s most important films – a must-watch.  This film tells the adventures and struggles of the deadliest sniper (255 kills, 160 of which are confirmed by the U.S. Department of Defense) in US military history, Chris “The Legend” Kyle.  The collaboration of Bradley Cooper and Clint Eastwood – the former portraying the lead role, and the latter directing the movie – resulted into a beautiful, gripping, and thoughtful biographical war drama.  It both celebrates the heroism and skills of a soldier going to war, as well as laments the psycho-emotional scars that he has to unfortunately suffer.  It’s simultaneously testosterone-pumping and heart-wrenching.  It’s truly a powerful, complex, well-made movie that deserves every accolade it is now receiving.   

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Top 10 Guitarists

The keyboard is my go-to instrument now, but the guitar will always have a very special place in my heart.  It’s the first instrument I learned how to play, and, as an amateur musician, I had spent years being primarily engrossed in the instrument, playing it, and – most importantly – listening to talented musicians who wield the guitar.  From the many guitarists I’ve listened to, I developed my own personal taste on guitar musicality – what styles or philosophies can produce the most pleasurable and rousing music from the guitar.  Of course, this “personal taste on guitar musicality” is not at all dependent on an actual definitive, objective standard, but merely on the preference that grew on me during my exposure to different guitarists. 

My “personal taste on guitar musicality” is reflected from my picks for this top 10 list of guitarists.  These guys aren’t picked by being the fastest, the most skilful, the most successful, the most technically savvy, or even the most awesome.  They are picked for being the ones that I am fond of listening, whose music has enthralled me, and had made an effect on my own thinking regarding how to play guitar.   

Honorable Mentions: Prince, Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Steve Vai, Carlos Santana, John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Brian May (Queen), Steve Lukather (Toto), Matthias Jabs (Scorpions)

9.) & 10.) DON FELDER & JOE WALSH (Eagles)

There are many better guitarists than these Eagles duo, but they have earned spots in my most favorite guitarists list for being the ones behind the greatest guitar duet ever in “Hotel California.”  Individually, both of them are capable of some slick guitar solos.  But they are truly special when their guitars respond to each other, like in the two versions (original and acoustic) of “Hotel California.”  They also did a swell job in “Life in a Fast Lane.”        

8.) NUNO BETTENCOURT (Extreme)

 

My first encounter with his guitar talent was with Extreme’s famous acoustic ballad, “More Than Words.”  I found Nuno’s guitar work throughout the song very unique, catchy, and complementary in expressing the meaning of the song.  I was already impressed.  Then it got to the last part, and the shredding blew me away.  As I got to listen to more of his solos – with the electric  guitar – I learned that there is more to his talent than “More Than Words.”  I’m not really an Extreme fan.  Aside from “More Than Words”, no Extreme song really stuck with my playlists.  But I’ve always enjoyed Nuno.  He is a phenomenal guitarist; his solos consistently retain musical definition while being done through extremely (pun intended) fast, rousing shredding.    

7.) SLASH (Guns & Roses)

It was with Slash where I got my first understanding of what a lead guitarist is.  I was auditorily mesmerized (if that’s a term) by “Sweet Child O’ Mine” back then. Guitar playing in hard rock is often associated with distortion-heavy noise.  But as the lead guitarist of a legendary hard rock band, Slash is different.  There is elegance in his riffs – there is a real sense of priority for making comprehendible scales (listen to “November Rain”) over cathartic hard rock expression.  Thus, Slash, for some time, was my definitive guitarist.

6.) JOHN MAYER

He’s not exactly the most liked musician out there with his reputation as a big jerk.  But with regards to his talent, after watching his “Where the Light Is?” live album, nobody can deny that John Mayer is an extremely versatile player of both acoustic and electric guitars.  I’m awed by how he can sing and execute complex guitar riffs at the same time without losing a step.       

5.) JIMI HENDRIX

Hendrix is considered by many guitar enthusiasts and critics as the greatest guitarist in history.  Personally, he’s not my most favorite guitarist, but I nonetheless acknowledge his musical genius.  His riffs are natural, versatile, and melodically flawless.  He revolutionized guitar playing, giving us an idea – if not completely showing us – what more can be done with the guitar.  Every guitarist should listen to him for he will definitely find something to learn.

4.) JIMMY PAGE (Led Zeppelin)

Jimmy is a legendary guitar player, but I don’t really consider him as the most, er, “efficient.”  Nonetheless, the most awesome thing about him is how he’s always totally in control in every musical situation.  There is always an innate awareness in him on what needs to be done with his guitar.  He wobbles a bit, but his guitar playing is just oozing with charisma and smart melodic choices.  And that’s probably why many consider the guitar solo in “Stairway to Heaven” as the greatest ever.                  

3.) ERIC CLAPTON

He doesn’t do fast, flashy shredding or complicated sequences.  His style is simple but unforgettable and delightful.  He effortlessly knows what notes to utilize, and executes them with beautiful musical clarity.  It’s with listening to Clapton that taught me that guitar playing doesn’t need to be fancy, fast, and complicated.  What’s most important is producing good, pleasurable music – and simplicity and good musical taste can accomplish that.    

2.) RICHIE SAMBORA (Bon Jovi)

Back in my early teens, I found myself getting to really, really like Bon Jovi.  And, understandably, I developed an affinity to Richie Sambora’s guitar playing.  Since then, I’ve always believed that Sambora is underrated and underappreciated as a guitarist.  He is extensively “fluent” in the different guitar styles and genres.  He also did the most stirring solos I’ve ever heard.  Just listen to “Livin’ on a Prayer”, “Keep the Faith”, “Always”, “Wanted Dead or Alive”, etc., and let them do the talking regarding Sambora’s awesomeness.      

1.) NIGEL HENDROFF (Hillsong)

Nigel Hendroff is my most favorite guitarist ever since I learned how to play guitar.  This is, of course, primarily because of my Christian preferences.  Music is a terrific avenue in giving glory to God, and I appreciate and admire musicians who choose to dedicate their talents for the Lord.  The ‘Droff is a lead guitar and musical director for Hillsong, the largest producer of Christian Contemporary Music today, and is probably completely unknown outside Christian music circles.  He is nonetheless a gifted musician – proven to be impressive in playing both the acoustic and electric guitar.  He has proficient technical know-how in using effects to produce distinctive, more sophisticated guitar sounds – just like U2’s The Edge.  But unlike The Edge, who primarily relies on effects to hide his lack of depth and mediocre skill, the ‘Droff possesses a legitimate well-rounded skill-set.  

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Top 10 Disabled Fictional Characters

Oftentimes, in fiction, the disabilities of characters actually work in increasing their appeal, especially when they still roll and kick butt in spite of these handicaps.  Thus, such was the standard of how I assembled this list – picking my most favorite disabled fictional characters that haven’t been significantly limited by their disabilities, but in fact remained as competent and successful – or even more so – than non-disabled people. 

For this list, the category “disabled” is limited to the physical or sensory kind – blind, deaf, lame, and such.  Therefore, fictional characters with mental disabilities are reserved for a future list (if that ever happens).  Moreover, those characters whose disabilities are fixed by cybernetic enhancements are not considered (since they won’t really be “disabled” then).  However, characters that use superpowers to help them function while handicapped are still considered.             

Honorable Mentions: Dr. Strangelove, Madame Web, Kaname Tōsen

10.) LINCOLN RHYME

I understand that Lincoln Rhyme is originally a character from a novel series by Jeffrey Deaver.  I’ve never read the books, but I got to see The Bone Collector, the movie adaptation of the first book of the series.  In the movie, he was portrayed by the great Denzel Washington.

Rhyme was a brilliant forensics detective who became a bedridden quadriplegic after an accident involving a falling beam.  However, despite of being paralyzed from the neck down, his mind is still very much capable of solving crimes.  Lying on his bed in his apartment, he relies on a high-tech computer equipment and police officer Amelia Donaghy, who does the legwork for him and communicates with him through a headset.     

9.) YOMI

Yomi is a character from one of the best anime series ever, Yu Yu Hakushu.  Though not necessarily a straight-up antagonist (there was already a “good-evil ambiguity” element in the anime’s last arc, “The Three Kings Saga”), Yomi was the last opponent that main character Yusuke battled (during the “Demon World Tournament”) before the series ended. 

Yomi is one of the so-called “Three Kings”, the three powerful rulers of the Demon World that are in an impasse among themselves (if two engages in war, the third one would strike his weakened rivals, ensuing to his or her absolute rule).  Originally brash and reckless when he was young, he often got into trouble and had to rely on Kurama to bail him out.  Probably fed up with him, Kurama sent a demon assassin to attack Yomi, resulting to his loss of eyesight.  However, becoming blind actually made Yomi more powerful over time – Yomi’s sense of hearing exponentially became more potent (he even gained four more ears); he became a calmer and more calculating combatant; and his power levels became immense. 

When Yomi was already a king of the Demon World, he – ironically – still chose to make Kurama his second-in-command, despite of knowing the fact that he’s the reason why he became blind.  Being already more powerful than Kurama, he could have easily exacted his revenge.  However, Yomi acknowledged that what Kurama had done was for the best, which, in fact, it indeed was, for it made him more powerful.   

   

8.) ZATOICHI

Here’s another blind badass who made the list (come to think of it, half of the spots went to blind characters).  Zatoichi is a fictional Japanese swordsman (I encountered this character after I’ve already written my lists on fictional samurais and swordsmen) from the late Edo period of Japan (1830’s-40’s).  The character was originally portrayed by actor Shintaro Katsu in a film series and a TV series.  But my encounter with the character was with the 2003 revival, The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi, in which the titular character was portrayed by Takeshi Tikano (who also wrote and directed the movie).      

Zatoichi spends his time and makes a living by roaming around, giving massages, providing acupuncture therapy, and by gambling with dice.  He lets himself have an initial appearance of a harmless, blind wanderer; but he unleashes his deadly swordsmanship skills whenever he encounters ruffians, bandits, or yakuza gangsters that oppresses or extorts the weak, innocent, and helpless.  In combat, his preference is extinguishing the candles that light the room and then using the darkness to his advantage in picking off his opponents.            

7.) ELI

The main protagonist of the film The Book of Eli is another Denzel Washington-portrayed character.  Living in a post-apocalyptic world, Eli gets by because of his all-around fighting and survival skills.  But what’s uncanny is that – which was heavily implied later in the movie – he’s actually blind!  Moreover – and more impressive still – is the fact that he had memorized the entire King James Version of the Bible.    

6.) SUSANNAH DEAN

A serial killer once attempted to kill her by pushing her in front of the train.  She survived, but she lost her legs – putting her in a wheelchair for life.  

Susannah Dean was originally known as Odetta Holmes, who had a split personality named Detta Walker.  Odetta and Detta are extreme, “yin-yang” polar opposites of each other, and it was in their merging that formed Susannah. 

Susannah is one of Ronald Deschain’s recruits for his ka-tet– companions drawn from different time periods of New York City in his quest for the Dark Tower.  Just like the others, she was trained by Roland in the ways of the gunslinger, which transformed her into a badass warrior.  Despite being dependent on a wheelchair, she is as sharp, capable, and dangerous as her comrades.  In the fifth Dark Tower book, Wolves of the Calla, she would even learn how to wield masterfully the deadly throwing iron plates (like a chakram) of the Calla women.      

5.) TOPH BEIFONG

Toph Beifong is a character from Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel, The Legend of Korra.  Even when still at a very young age, Toph was already a master earthbender.  In fact, she’s the one who taught Avatar Aang – who, at that time, could already bend wind, water, and fire, but not earth – to earthbend.  She is so immersed and in tune with her earthbending that she even got to invent metalbending – tracing and utilizing the earth components in metal to bend metal itself.  After the formation of Republic City, Toph served as its first Chief of Police, commanding an elite Metalbending Police Force.      

Blind from birth, Toph learned from badgermoles (these blind underground animals were the first creatures that mastered earthbending) how to use earthbending to sense the “vibration” in the ground allowing her to be extensively aware and sensitive of everything happening around her.   

     

4.) ECHO

Maya Lopez a.k.a. Echo is now currently deceased in the comics (killed by the Skrull impostor taking the appearance of Spider-Woman during “Secret Invasion”).  She is one of my most favorite female Avengers, and I really wish she’ll get resurrected already (maybe post-Secret Wars?). 

Echo is deaf, but she can read lips and easily catches visual cues and body languages.  Though she has no superpowers, she, however, has Olympic-level athleticism and “photographic reflexes”, which is the remarkable ability of perfectly and effortlessly mimicking other people’s movements by just watching them doing these movements (kind of like what the Taskmaster can do, as well as Eyeshield 21’s Agon Kongo).  Due to this ability, Echo was able to become a professional-level pianist (uncanny, considering the fact that she’s deaf), a proficient martial artist, an expert acrobat (from watching Daredevil), an able pilot, and an exceptional sharpshooter (from watching Bullseye).

3.) ORACLE

Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl now (due to the New 52 reboot), but I liked her more as Oracle.  During the “Killing Joke”, the Joker shot Barbara Gordon and left her paralyzed.  This ceased Barbara Gordon’s career as Batgirl (though, as said earlier, she is Batgirl once more at the present).  However, this was not the end of her as a crimefighter and heroine.  Despite being confined in a wheelchair, Barbara still has her genius intellect.  Adopting the codename “Oracle”, Barbara became a hacker and information broker for the superhero community.  Her assistance is so invaluable that she was even asked to join the Justice League.  Moreover, even with her movement limited by her disability, Barbara is still a capable combatant and can still hold her own when needed.    

2.) PROFESSOR X

Charles Xavier eventually regained his ability to walk, but he is more identified as a cripple sitting on a wheelchair (so he’s qualified for this list).  Prof. X is so popular already that there’s no need to introduce him at length. 

He is an extremely powerful telepath; the range and application of his telepathy is probably unmatched in fiction.  The character is defined and driven by his dream – the so-called “Xavier’s dream” – of a world where mutants and humans are co-existing harmoniously together.  To bring this about, he knows that he needs to protect humanity from evil mutants as well as provide purpose and safety for the persecuted mutants (especially the young ones).  Hence, he created Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and the X-Men to help him realize his dream.     

1.) DAREDEVIL

My most favorite disabled fictional character is Matt Murdock a.k.a. Daredevil a.k.a. “the Man Without Fear.”  He is, no doubt, the most iconic blind fictional character ever. 

He lost his eyesight when he saved the life of a blind man from being hit by a truck.  The truck was carrying toxic substances and some spilled on Matt, hitting his eyes, living him blind for life.  However, due to this same radioactive exposure, the potency of Matt’s other senses heightened toward superhuman levels.  Hence, he is extremely more sensitive and alert of his surroundings than other people.  After his father was killed by gangsters, Matt Murdock adopted the identity of Daredevil to avenge him and became a masked crimefighter.         

Though unable to see, Daredevil is compensated with a “radar sense” – which is kind of similar with bats’ echolocation – that allows him to sort of “see” his environment via sound vibrations.  Another interesting application of his abilities is using his superhearing as a lie detector while listening to the heartbeat of the one he’s interrogating.   

Aside from his superpowers, Daredevil also trained to become proficient in many martial arts disciplines and be a very athletic acrobat.  

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Chain of Thoughts: I'm a Bit Upset That 'Secret Wars' is Looking to Be Another 'New 52'

To be fair with Marvel, details are still not definite at this point, and it might not turn out to be too “New 52.”  Still, I’m a bit upset, for a couple of reasons:

• There were some cool things about it, but in general, I really hated DC’s “New 52” reboot.  So with what seems to me Marvel’s attempt to “New 52” its own multiverse, it gives me unfavorable vibes. 
• In connection to the previous bullet, I hate the commercial aspect of it.  Is Marvel trying to replicate DC’s commercial success (though brief)?  In fact, it was also announced – in an apparent cash-grab tactic – that Marvel is partnering with Hasbro, Funko, Upperdeck, and others for merchandising tie-ins.  I have no problem with Marvel thinking of ways of making more money, but, to me, it feels like all of this is being done principally out of making money from the hype, with the creative and sensibility aspects not being thoroughly considered.  It’s infinitely worse than NOW!-ing everything.
• Speaking of NOW!, I find it a lack of forethought in conducting significant and innovative status quo changes with Avengers NOW! when everything is going to be reset and changed again anyway by a subsequent reality-altering mega event.               
• One of Marvel’s edges through the years over DC is being able to figure out a way to keep its main universe’s continuity existent and compressed.  Hence, in Marvel’s main universe (Earth-616), no matter what is the “today”, all the things that happened from issue number one to the present issue – regardless of how many years it took in real time – have occurred within a ten to fifteen year period.  Though not perfect, it satisfies every Marvel fan, and – compared to DC’s confusing pre-“New 52” continuity (try researching for Hawkman’s history) – it makes the history of the Marvel Universe comfortably neat.
• The Ultimate Universe used to be awesome.  Then Ultimatum happened.  From then on – with some rare worthwhile instances (like what was done in Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates; I really liked this series) – the Ultimate Universe became garbage.  Cancellation of the Ultimate Universe is long overdue; the opportunity to send off Earth-1610 with a bang has passed already.  Doing it now in “Secret Wars”, with an attempt to salvage some of its facets, makes it pretty anticlimactic and seemingly desperate.   
• From Marvel EIC Axel Alonso: “The Ultimate Universe, the Marvel Universe, they're going to slap together. Imagine two pizzas: They're going to combine toppings, some toppings are going to drop off. And that is the Marvel Universe moving forward. It's more than the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe, it's all the universes you can imagine. That is the Marvel Universe going forward.”  Interesting analogy.  But it’s very likely that I will find some “toppings” dropped off from Earth-616 worth lamenting and griping about.  And, seriously, post-Ultimatum and post-Cataclysm, with the exception of Miles Morales, there are no “toppings” worth saving from Earth-1610.  However, I admit that I find it intriguing what “toppings” from the multiverse will become part of this new Marvel Universe.  By the way, will the “Earth-616” numbering of this new Marvel Universe be retained?    
• Spider-Verse is pretty awesome.  And it’s looking like Secret Wars– with different versions of Marvel characters from different universes instead of just Spider-Men – is merely a bigger version of it.  It’s not really a major nitpick.  But looking at it this way, some of the novelty of the premise of Secret Warsis lessened.
• The train of teasers back in 2014 on Secret Wars, which mostly alluded to notable Marvel events, are revealed to be new comic book series titles that will spin-off from Secret Wars.   More titles and details are to be announced in the next two weeks.  So far, the upcoming series (based on the teasers) then are going to be Civil War, Age of Ultron vs. Marvel Zombies, Years of Future Past, Planet Hulk, Armor Wars, House of M, The Infinity Gauntlet, Old Man Logan, Inhumans Attilan Rising, The End (which appear to be all about the Ultimate Universe’s end), Age of Apocalypse, Future Imperfect, The Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows(which I hope would truly bring Pete and MJ back together), Avengers vs. X-Men, and X-Men ’92 (based on the beloved animated series classic).
• I’ll probably follow-up on this after two weeks.

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'Justice League: Throne of Atlantis' is the Least of All 'Justice League' Animated Movies So Far

At its core, Justice League: Throne of Atlantis is simply an attempt to introduce Aquaman to this animated universe since he was set aside for Shazam in Justice League: War (in the comics’ New 52 – in which this new DC animated universe is based on – the original seventh member of the initial Justice League line-up was Aquaman and not Shazam); the whole story merely served as the vessel and padding for it.  The movie also established the romance between Superman and Wonder Woman.  And aside from these two details, I find nothing appreciably special about the movie.  The overall narrative just feels so generic – it’s as if I’ve already seen this kind of story too many times before.  

I have a couple of nitpicks with JL: War, but I still found it better than JL: Throne of Atlantis.  The former has been more action-packed and had better character moments – both in quality and quantity.  In fact, if I’m going to rank all Justice League animated movies so far, JL: Throne of Atlantis is at the bottom (for the record, JL: New Frontier is still my most favorite). 

However, this is still the Justice League we are talking about, and the characters – and the team in general – is worth being excited about.  Watching all these superheroes interact is always worthwhile.  Heck, I would probably still watch a Justice League animated movie even if it’s just them hanging out in a café, trading banters and wisecracks for one hour.  Thus, JL: Throne of Atlantis is still entertaining enough, but only because it’s a film featuring the Justice League.      

Still, I consider this new Justice League universe a work in process, and I’m very much willing to give it more time to develop.    

Miscellaneous musings (some spoilers):

• Considering that they lacked chemistry in JL: War, I was hoping that the heroes would have already “warmed up” by now.  At the end of the movie, the Justice League is just only about to undergo the process of, as Batman puts it, “solidifying this team.”  But, once again, I’m willing to give time for improvement, including team dynamic.  Hopefully, by the next movie, they would truly be a perfectly compelling and thrilling team. 
• If all this actually leads to Lex Luthor joining the Justice League, as with the comics, then this “New 52” inspired DC animated universe might turn out to be a brilliant idea after all.   
• I understand that the DC animated features are more adult-oriented now.  But I still cringe whenever some expletives are spoken.  This is probably just the guy in me who considers the Timmverse, kid-friendly Justice League animated series as the definite animated take of the Justice League.   
• Though it seemed that he was underused here compared to other JL movies, Batman was still awesome in every second he was in.
• The thing I liked most about JL: Throne of Atlantis is Nathan Fillion returning to voice Hal Jordan/Green Lantern.  I had hated the A-hole Green Lantern in JL: War (voiced by Justin Kirk).  I don’t know if it’s just an illusion because I adore Fillion or if Fillion is genuinely just that perfect with the role, but it empathically felt like Green Lantern was suddenly perked up with charm and personality just because Fillion voiced him in this movie.
• Green Lantern’s vacuum “cleaner-mecha” construct is definitely inspired.  Two thumbs up. 
• Strange that Mera has been given more moments to be a badass than Wonder friggin’ Woman
• John Henry Irons a.k.a. Steel had a cameo.  I consider it a “cameo” instead of an “introduction” since, as far as this animated universe is concerned, I doubt that Steel is going to be featured further and become part of the Justice League in the future.  Cyborg makes Steel redundant.      
• The best moment of the movie is probably the part where Aquaman summoned a great white shark to devour Black Manta – Deep Blue Sea-style.  It was simultaneously hilarious and badass.  I never followed the New 52 Aquaman comics (where he has been redefined as a badass superhero after years of being ridiculed by comic book fans), but I know that the sequence was a reference to a similar moment in the comics.       
• Was there really a need for Ocean Master to kick every Leaguer’s butt so that Aquaman can be brought to a position to shine by being the one beating him?  Boo.  I know that this movie is Aquaman-centric, but still, I didn’t like it at all.  Felt too indulgent – the dumb kind.
• I’m tired of the idiocy of stories allowing underwater conversation through actual oral communication.  Unless the mechanics are explained, I always find it a distracting plot hole.    
• I applaud DC for continually kicking Marvel’s butt in the direct-to-video animated features category.  I still can’t believe that, up until now, Marvel still hasn’t figure out how to fight back.  They have plenty of good materials to adapt – but they don’t.  Marvel has more success and know-how in universe-building (as proven by its shared cinematic universe) but they aren’t applying it on animated features.  I’m just baffled.        
• Injustice: Gods Among Us is one of the most awesome comic book series right now.  And it’s the storyline/universe that I really wish DC would adapt next into an animated movie series. 
• Next from DC Universe Animated Original Movies this year: Batman vs. Robin.  Can’t wait. 

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Chain of Thoughts: 2014 Highlights

Time for another late annual recap.  I will just copy last year’sformat.

How I will remember 2014 for:

→ The expression “Boom panes!”

→ I could hear John Legend’s “All of Me” everywhere. 

→ ALS Bucket Challenge.  I didn’t find it fun at all.  Still, I hope it did indeed raise money for that cause though.

→ Loombands.  Now, that was a fad that died pretty quick.

This was a unique and ironic game because whoever plays this game will surely be frustrated by it but won't be able to stop playing.

→ Speaking of fads, there was the widespread addiction on Flappy Birds.  Personally, I didn’t get to play this app game, thankfully.  I did play Zombie Tsunami for a while though.   

→ Oh, and speaking of app games, if I had avoided Candy Crush in 2013 because of its addictiveness, it was in the summer of 2014 that I got to be briefly hooked on it. 

→ Tech support ended for Windows XP.  My five-year old netbook is still on XP. 

→ Speaking of my netbook, in early December, its monitor gave out; the damage was unfixable.  To still use it, I had to remove its monitor and attach a desktop monitor on it.  Fun set up actually.  Anyway, I now seldom use it now since my father gave me his laptop (Thank you so much, Papa!).                

→ The number of TV series titles I’m following significantly bloated in 2014.      

→ I re-discovered the awesomeness of file sharing.  I probably obtained nearly a terabyte worth of games, comics, movies, and TV shows from it.  (One of the probable reasons why I got into – as well as rewatched – a lot of TV series in 2014.)

→ At year end, I had 15 books in “The Pile” – books I bought which I haven’t finished or started reading yet. 

→ I had two trips this year.  In March, we had a mission trip to a leper community in Quezon.   Then in May, we participated in a Youth Camp in Cavite. 

→ I became back-to-back Bible Quiz champion in our church.  It was an awesome feel-good experience.  Best of all, the first prize was a tablet. 

→ I’m not much of an enthusiastic techie, and with a netbook and a smartphone, I found no use with the tab at all for a couple of months.  But then, I realized I could now play Plants vs. Zombies 2 because I now have a tab.  I remembered that I’ve always wanted to play this game ever since its release but wasn’t able to because I had no smartphone or tab.  Later in the year, I would also discover the special delight found in the practicality of an e-book.  So, thanks to the tab, 2014 was the year I finally got into e-book reading.

→ I passed the LET.  Yay. 

→ I had the silver anniversary of my journey towards Eternity (or I had my 25^th birthday, if you didn’t get that).

→ I actually only learned for the first time that the 1989 Batman movie was released in June 23 – the same date I was born!  (Aside from the movie’s silver anniversary, in 2014, it was also the 75^th anniversary of Batman’s first comic book appearance.)

No big deal, really.  Still, it felt kind of awesome sharing the same birthday with the Batman movie.

→ There were a lot of terrific comic book happenings, but probably the most exciting were the return of Peter Parker and the epic “Spider-Verse” event (which I urge Sony to adapt this into film).

→ In manga, Naruto and Kuroko No Basuke ended.  Both aren’t particularly exciting finales.  I’ve already grown tired of Naruto, but out of nerdy obligations, I still saw it through till the end.  And the finale of Kuroko No Basuke had been disappointingly bland and underwhelming.  Hunter X Hunter, after years of hiatus, finally picked the story again, but after a few chapters, went on another indefinite hiatus.  Boo. 

→ After years of providing our province’s electric needs, ALECO (Albay Electric Cooperative) had been taken over by San Miguel Corporation.  It was renamed APEC (Albay Power Energy Corporation), and, I think, for the first time in history, a private company now controls the power in the province of Albay.  During its first year of operation, APEC had earned the ire of the Albayanos.  Throughout most of the year, parts of the province had been plagued by infuriating sets of brownouts due to APEC’s incompetent management; rumored sabotaging by unhappy laid-off employees of ALECO (that has been fired due to their connections with its corrupt administration); presumed maintenance of its electric distributing system (and, maybe, even some overhauls); and, simply, the lack of power supply (the country will be facing a power crisis this 2015).  There was even a lengthy time during May – which had an awfully hot weather – when we didn’t have electricity for several days because APEC wasn’t able to promptly replace the broken components of a substation.  APEC was incapable of solving the crisis at hand by themselves, and it had to take the active help of our provincial governor for it to be addressed.  And despite of all their faults, they had the gall to overcharge their clients.  All of these exasperating things about APEC prompted me to coin the hashtag #APECfail (a pun for “epic fail”, get it?).          

→ Typhoon Glenda hit my hometown in July.  It was a legit destructive typhoon.  There were a lot of damages.  It even brought down my alma mater’s “Centennial Tree” – an iconic acacia tree that had been more than a hundred years old – which was able to withstand even the infamous “Reming” back in ’06, hence, I was a bit shocked when I learned that it was finally felled by a lesser storm.  Post-Glenda, I was actually expecting that we wouldn’t have electricity for about a month minimum.  But I was delightfully surprised (considering APEC’s problems) that it only took five days.  It was God’s grace, since, in many parts of the city and province, it took several weeks – and even months – before they got their power back.   

→ We were, however, spared from Typhoon Ruby in early December, ensuring an enjoyable Christmas since there would be electricity then.

→ There were some noteworthy airplane crashes.  But the most intriguing was definitely the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370) back in March 2014.  In the middle of its scheduled flight from Malaysia to China, less than an hour after its takeoff, the plane disappeared from air traffic controllers’ radar screens.  Up until now, nobody knows what happened – whether it was hijacked, or crashed, or whatever.  It just… vanished.  And despite a multinational investigation and the largest and most expensive search-and-recovery venture in aviation history, there is still no answer – its disappearance still wrapped in Amelia Earheart-scale mystery.  Hence, it was inevitable for this to become another subject that conspiracy theorists can eagerly offer insights on.

→ Aside from the missing MH370, the most notable tragedies this year were the sinking of a South Korean ferry which took 304 lives – mostly students; the Ebola epidemic in West Africa; ISIS terrorizing in Syria and Iraq (in a related matter, I learned that the UN actually put hacks like Lt. Gen. Iqbal Singh Singha in charge of their peacekeeping forces… just sayin’); and Kim Kardashian’s terrifying butt-naked pictorial.

→ Robin Williams passed away.  Well, there were a couple of prominent celebrities that died in 2014.  But Williams’ was probably the only thing that mattered to me.

Goodbye, Genie.  Be free.  (sniff)

→ “The Sony Hacks.”  Sony experienced several attacks by hackers named “Guardians of Peace” (GOP).  GOP released in the Internet several secret and critical information regarding Sony’s upcoming projects as well as copies of some unreleased movies.  Then, later, it was revealed that the likely suspect behind the attacks was North Korea because of their displeasure with “The Interview” – Sony’s comedy movie that ridiculed NoKor dictator, Kim Jong-un.  There were threats that a terrorist attack of “9/11” proportions would happen if Sony released the movie.  To my astonishment, despite Fed reports that such threats are unfounded, Sony actually folded and decided not to release the movie (eventually, Sony opted to release the movie but online).  This was really worth noting and being perplexed about since it’s the first time this happened.  Jimmy Kimmel reacted: "An un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist actions and sets a terrifying precedent."  I totally agree. If it worked this time, it will definitely be tried again and again! What's stopping the bad guys from moving on and anonymously targeting another movie they don't like? 

→ In probably the most epic casting news ever, Marvel hired the awesome Benedict Cumberbatch to play Dr. Strange!  I’m just crazy for Cumberbatch right now.  The man is extremely talented and charming.  2014 was the year he jumped past Nathan Fillion as my most favorite actor.
→ Warner Bros./DC revealed how Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman will look like.

She hasn't won me over yet.  But at least she bulked up.

→ In one of the most idiotic things in, well, ever, Hello Kitty is officially revealed to be actually NOT a cat but a little girl.  Wait, what?             

→ In relation to their involvement with Janet Lim Napoles and the “pork barrel scam”, senators Revilla, Jinggoy, and Enrile were sent to jail.  Prior to getting jailed, in an attempt to win public sympathy, Revilla did some of the most absurd, hilarious, and shameless gimmicks in the already ridiculous history of Philippine politics.     

→ Vice-President Jejomar Binay’s political enemies in the Senate unearthed some of his dark (no pun intended) secrets when he was still the mayor of Makati City.  The senators had actually provided some compelling accusations, and Binay, in return, didn’t provide a compelling defense at all.  He did challenge Sen. Trillanes to a televised debate, but backed down when the senator accepted (Binay was probably bluffing and didn’t expect Trillanes to bite).

One of the strongest arguments that support the senators’ accusations that surfaced in Facebook is this simple infographic that compares the cost of building the Makati City Hall 2 vs. the building of London’s City Hall. 

→ This year’s hottest government corruption scandal (this is like an annual thing already) is tied between Binay and the discovery that crime lords incarcerated in New Bilibid Prison are living luxuriously like, well, crime lords.  They have first-class accommodations, drugs, money, stripper bars, and Jacuzzis.  And one named Herbert Colanga was even able to nurture a musical career while in prison – and actually found success!    

→ Everyone’s favorite senator, Miriam Defensor Santiago, announced that she has cancer.  Despite of this, she still remained the most entertaining and most prolific senator in the Senate.   

→ Back in August, an MRT train got derailed and rammed into a concrete barrier in which around 36 passengers got injured.  This accident renewed attention on the horrible conditions of MRT.  And while I lamented on the fact that the Philippines still doesn’t have a modern rail system yet, MRT management and DOTC just pointed fingers at each other in whose fault it was.

→ The Philippines filed a case against China in the world court regarding the latter’s invasion of the former’s Scarborough Shoal – and beyond.  The Philippines has a strong case against China, but I’m a bit skeptical that anything will really come out of it.  If China is proven in the wrong (which is quite apparent), I doubt the United Nations will really actively enforce the ruling.  Remember Iraq?  Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, had continually violated UN treaties, but the UN never really made any move – only the US did.

China is still pretending that they lack common sense. 

→ What’s great: Pacquiao earned wins over Timothy Bradley (Mommy D was allegedly casting voodoo curses on Bradley throughout the fight) and Chris Algieri in 2014.  What’s not-so-great: he became a coach-player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

→ After a 27-game losing streak in a span of two years, the UP Fighting Maroons won a game during UAAP 77 (which the NU Bulldogs won in dramatic fashion).  The team was celebrated as if they had actually won the championship.  The university threw a bonfire party, there were TV guestings, and the UP Chancellor was even quoted of saying, “We have proven that we excel not just in academics” (lolwut?).  I really found it hilarious.  This win would serve as UP’s only win this season as they finished with a 1-13 record. 

→ Despite being eliminated in the first round and a 1-4 record, Team Gilas Pilipinas had an impressive performance in the FIBA World Cup.  There was a lot of hype and excitement.  Then, the team fell flat in the Asian Games.  To be fair, overall, the Philippines sucked in the 2014 Asian Games (1 gold, 3 silvers, and 11 bronzes. Ugh).

Kobe looks amazing in black.  He's the Black Mamba after all.

→ Kobe Bryant finally got to wear a black jersey in a game!  I’ve always wanted an official black Laker jersey (which only happened during 2013-2014 season) and I’ve always wanted to see Kobe play in such jersey (Kobe only played six games in the 2013-2014 season and never had a chance to wear it); it had been long overdue.  Ok, this seems pretty petty.  But, as a Laker fan, there’s not much to rejoice about in 2014  The Lakers completed their most horrible season in history (and are now undergoing what looks to be a worse one).  Spurs won the championship, now tying the Lakers with the most championships of this era.  In the offseason, Pau left the Lakers.   There was a slim chance that LeBron would choose to go to the Lakers, but he instead went back to the Cavs.  And the most exciting Laker thing I had in 2014 was probably Linsanity joining the Lakers.  That’s just sad.
→ WWE had its historic Wrestlemania 30.  And Undertaker lost his match with Brock Lesnar  – destroying his perfect Wrestlemania record.  In my opinion, Vince McMahon’s  decision to let Lesnar be the one to beat the Undertaker in Wrestlemania was a big mistake. 

→ Hoverboards have not been invented in 2014, so there will still be no prevalence of commercial hoverboards in 2015 as Back to the Future II had predicted (bummer).  However, there are some intriguing developments in cybernetics.  A guy named Les Baugh, who had lost his two arms, received two mind-controlled cybernetic arms!  They’re not yet permanent add-ons, but the researchers are optimistic that such technology would soon be.

2014 could have been the dawn of cyborgs!

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