November 2014 – *ddileo

Mockingjay Part 1

Mockingjay Part 1 plays as the 3rd installment in The Hunger Games series and although there are only 3 books, the executives at Lions Gate have decided to break the 3rd and final installment into 2 films. Hence the “Part 1.”

Mockingjay Part 1 finds Katniss Everdeen in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of Commander Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.

All familiar faces are back: Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, etc. As well as Director Francis Lawrence who took over the series in “Catching Fire.” Personally, I like what Lawrence has brought to the series. The first film lacked grit and played more like a Disney movie. When Lawrence took over the helm he added some darkness and reality to what otherwise could have become a potential weak, children’s Sci Fi series, ala “Twilight.”

For the film itself, Mockingjay Part 1 is kind of a mixed bag. It provides glimpses of classic “Hunger Games” greatness while never really being able to shed the “part 1” aspect of itself. For me, the really appealing facet of past Hunger Games films was that journey to the games. I always felt a genuine scare for the characters leading up to the games in both 1 and 2 and that made you connect with them. This movie is missing that. The rebellion is starting to take place and we have collectively moved on from the games but with that change we lose our intimacy with the characters. Also considering Katness and Peeta are apart most of the film, feelings and emotions are brightly vacant. Its not a huge flaw that deters your experience but you can definitely tell; this is not your old Hunger Games.

But alas, end all be all Mockingjay part 1 is a good movie, not great by any means but good. It has all the necessary checkpoints. Cinematography and music do their jobs efficiently. The script will keep you entertained and guessing. The acting is really top notch as like the previous in the series and most noticeably, momentum and pacing is done really well.

Go see Mockingjay. It’s worth the price of admission and provides a good story (even if cut off at half point.) The truth really is: if your at all invested in The Hunger Games series then obviously, this is a must see. Unfortunately as of this point, Mockingjay 1 is easily the most “forgettable” movie of the series for me. It doesn’t mean it was bad, from from it. It just means it is exactly what it is, a film that gains tremendous momentum after slowly but surely developing it only to let you hit a brick wall. Intentionally.

To be honest, Mockingjay Part 1 is probably the weakest of the three so far, but if this is as bad as it gets, that is still something of a triumph.

7/10

Life

October 2014

October really flew by. It was one of those months that just didn’t take it’s time. Never set in, just kind of stayed in the fast lane. Equally tough because I’m used to seeing some fall foliage. Not so down here, not so. The weather has been nice for walking. A little breezier and a tad cooler. Kind of similar to September in CT.

Well, if I wasn’t a fully fledged firefighter in September I sure am now. We had a huge structure fire. The bell went off at about 1:30 AM and we were there until 7:00 AM. I will never be able to fully explain what it felt like to pull up to a building roaring with fire and uncertainty. All I know is from what I understand, we did an excellent job of maintaining and ultimately suppressing. We have done countless post classes on strategy from that night and it seems we really did a great job. Most of this credit goes to our Battalion Chief who sort of plays as the QB of the operation. But still, Engine 4 (my crew) showed up and put in some work!

My Mom and Aunt Chris came to Visit for Liam’s 4th birthday party and it was fantastic to see them. To date, I haven’t been to CT for close to a year now which is the longest (by far) I have ever been away form everyone up there. It is difficult and I have good friends down here, but it’s not the same as being around family. I was reminded of this when I saw their faces. It was great and I couldn’t be more thankful they were able to come.

Lindsey continues to amaze with her work load and life balance. In addition she is doing much more with church now and still manages to keep all her sanity. She really is amazing. She is doing more baking and schoolwork then a medical student crossed with Mary Poppins.

It would be a crime if I didn’t mention something new. “Serial.” That word may not mean much to you. But to me, it’s the main topic of October. A little known fact about me is I am a huge podcast listener. Something about the medium is just enthralling. Like a throwback to radio days or something. Anyways. Serial is a new podcast by the folks at “This American Life.” And it is simply fantastic I strongly urge everyone who has the interest to please check it out and get back to me!

November brings birthdays (Liams and my Mom’s) and pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice iced coffee from DD!

Movies

Film Review: Interstellar

When Christopher Nolan makes a movie I take notice with extreme interest. It doesn’t matter the premise, synopsis or what actors are involved. His filmography speaks for itself: Memento, The Prestige, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception. I really could go on but there’s no need to do. Interstellar marks Nolan’s most ambitious film to date and not only does it push Nolan’s filmmaking abilities technically, it also solidifies the fact that Christopher Nolan is a great filmmaker, but he slowly but surely is joining a small but special list of filmmakers in the “Auteur” category. A group that names include Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock and Frederico Fellini.

Interstellar is as follows: With our time on Earth coming to an end, a team of explorers undertakes the most important mission in human history; traveling beyond this galaxy to discover whether mankind has a future among the stars.

Interstellar is not only the best movie I’ve seen all year, quite possibly it’s the most ambitious film I have ever seen. There’s something to be said for a movie that sets out to be something grand in size and completely succeeds. I don’t envy Christopher Nolan or his brother Jonathan for having to write this script or to pull off this gigantic idea, but we all will sure enjoy the results. They reach for something huge here and while the ending may leave a little to be desired in it’s complexity it doesn’t take away from the fantastic journey you will take if you board this ship.

The movie’s biggest strength without question is Christopher Nolan. You can make a very real argument that Christopher Nolan is the best working director in the movie business right now. There’s no one who makes a big movie feel so small and intimate. He has an unbelievable way of fitting these really sweet, smaller sized scenes into a very large movie. Take Interstellar for example: the movie is quite possibly the largest scale movie of all time due to where it takes us logistically in the universe. The best scene in the movie, however, comes from inside a bedroom on a farm between Mathew McConaughey and his daughter. Sure the movie is big, epic to say the least. but Nolan keeps his finger on the pulse enough to know when to scale back. And at times, does so masterfully.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Interstellar deserves multiple viewings. It’s a highly complex film that demands every second of your attention and quite frankly it deserves every second of it. It’s very rare in Hollywood nowadays we see a team of Jonathan and Christopher Nolan work together to create something so seamless and so complicated yet complete and effective. Interstellar unbelievably pulls off with great achievement a fantastic movie experience, you will laugh you’ll cry and most importantly you will interact emotionally. The movie isn’t so big it leaves you. It constantly holds your hand.

THE VERDICT
Please go see interstellar, I’m begging you as a life long film fan. This is a special movie that will be talked about for a long time. I intentionally left out the words “2001 Space Odyssey” for comparisons but the fact of bringing it up isn’t a crime in the least bit, in fact I believe if Stanley Kubrick was living today he would tell you this is closest we’ve come to a 2001 Space Odyssey experience.

What makes Interstellar one of the best, most enthralling, intelligent and moving science-fiction films of modern cinema is not so much the inter-galactic journey it takes you on as the emotional journey your left with. Bottom line: Interstellar is as cinematically epic as it is dramatically intimate. Go see it.

10/10

Videos

Liam – Age 3

This year has been something. With Liam starting school, we saw evidence that time really does move fast. We were worried how he would adjust. And he has been fine. Some normal bumps for a 3 year old but he has made us proud every step of the way.

Liam’s vocabulary also has sprung this year. He is saying full sentences and complete thoughts. Lindsey and I couldn’t be prouder of who Liam is today and how he is changing us as people and parents. Sure there are tough days, but thats normal. The good vastly outweigh the bad. I count my blessings everyday with Liam because if nothing he is a stark reminder to me that God exists and he showers his blessings on me and Lindsey for some reason I don’t quite understand.

I look forward to the future and what it holds. The ups and downs of course, but the unknown. The only thing we know for sure about the future is we will all have each other. And with each day our relationship grows. I couldn’t be more thankful for Liam. I count it an honor to do these videos and I look forward to next year’s :)

Videos

Liam – Age 2

Age 2 was transitional year for us as a family. Personally, I made this biggest change in my life moving from CT to GA. The change was and is difficult for me. But I learned some valuable lessons. Family never leaves. Liam and Lindsey have taught me this. My family unit stayed the same. Liam continued to grow in his 2nd year of life.

From the very cold winters of CT to the blistering hot summers of GA, this was Liam’s most inspirational year to date. For the first time I could actually see my own son growing into a caring, loving human. I know he was only 2, but the signs were everywhere. He was just a boy who had a big heart. He recognized those who loved him and showed equal love back. To this day he is a very aware soul, I believe that started this year.

From perfecting his basketball shot to shoveling his first snow storm, he did a bunch of exciting things. Trips to the beach and easter egg hunts, this year was full of excitement. His vocabulary bloomed and his eating started to progress. His smile became contagious and his presence was warming.

At age 2, he showed and taught me resilience. I wasn’t the only one whose life got moved from my original birthplace. So did his. And he was champion. He was strong and caring. One night in particular I was having a rough time. I went out to sit on the back deck and stared at the lake. Liam just came out there to me and sat quietly in my lap and rested his head against my chest for 20 minutes. Like I said a very aware little boy, with a huge heart.

ok next week is the big one! On Liam’s bday (11/11) I will post his age 3 video. Good times!