Ninja turtles! Teenagers actually, and mutants. Love 'em!

Back many ages ago, a crazy comic book came out featuring radical ninjas who were also teenage turtle mutants. I remember picking up the first copies and loving them instantly. They were pretty dark and edgy back then (not at all like the cartoon show) but they were pure awesomeness and I sure wasn't the only one who liked it. It was one of those amazing things where it suddenly caught on, growing fast into one of the biggest toy franchises in history. But, I've never seen the real style portrayed in anything other than the original comics. At least, until now.

 

 

Enter Michael Bay's "TMNT" and a totally new visualizing of the enduring characters. In my opinion, they are spot on. They are the devastating ninjas of the comics, yet have sparkling character and great teenage spunkiness. Sure, the plot is spaghetti and doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but so what? The Turtles never were high concept, but they sure are fun!

 

I love this new movie, and hope for a sequel. These Turtles are a blast to be around, and the rest of the characters are great for what they do as well. For all of you who grew up with the cartoons, let your brain off the chain and check out how awesome the Turtles really started out as. Give this movie a view. You won't regret a moment of it.

 

- M

Things that make you keep going forever

Ever had the feeling during a scary story when you cover your eyes but keep peeking out between your fingers? Or stay up all night just to watch a meteor shower? Or go on without sleep because you have to finish that jigsaw puzzle or else? Maybe I'm weird, but I've done all of those and much more. There are tons of times when I just don't want to stop, no matter the cost, because what I'm doing is so interesting that I'll just keep going on and on and on.

 

I think we seek out things like that all our lives. It's why scary movies are popular, and roller coasters, or bookshops, and tea parties. We want things to take our minds away so completely that we'll chase them without rest, chase them with smiles on our faces as our attention never diverts. It's a treasure to find anything like that and we tell everyone we know when we do.

 

Imagine how many people you've told about all the things that have kept you up at night? A restaurant so good you stuffed yourself silly and didn't mind at all. A girl who kept your heart fluttering until you lifted off the ground and left your shoes on the sidewalk. Or a poem so tender you sobbed enough to need a new handkerchief. These are things that make life special. Keep them close in memory and visit them often!

 

- M

Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Wow, what a week! We've had presents, snow, rain, and ... flu. The whole family is sick. I've lost 12 pounds, which is understandable since none of us have felt like eating much of anything. Well, except my lovely wife who is typically healthy and looking beautiful. I'm reminded of the old Ren and Stimpy song of "Happy, happy, joy, joy." It just feels appropriate right now.

 

What an incredible year it's been, and so quickly gone! When I was younger it felt like time crawled past, and now I turn around an wonder what happened to it all--time doesn't slip past, it absolutely vanishes. Age is an aspect I've studied for a long time, especially how perceptions change and the influence those perceptions have on our attitudes. It's been an interesting study. The most important thing I've taken from it is the view of patience. For a youngster, waiting 5 minutes is an eternity, but for an 60 year old waiting 5 years isn't much of a stretch. It's a matter of perspective, and age provides that.

 

I pray you all have a fabulous finale to this year and a successful 2015!

 

- M

Merry Christmas everyone!

Be safe. Be well. Be loved.

 

 - M
 

The siren call of the Prequel

Popular stories with strongly developed characters tempt author and distributors almost unfairly. Yes, I totally understand why an author wants to tell the story of how/why a beloved character came to be, but with the result already completely known it seems doomed to failure. However, comic books do it all the time with "origin" stories. History is already lived, yet nobody complains when people write about and document it. There is a wealth of information to be had when the past is combed through and understood better.

 

So why is it that prequel movies tend to do so badly? Maybe it's a sort of perception? The audience is expecting something different than it already knows? Speaking for myself, what I'm hoping for is much more depth of character (maybe even to the extent of a full on character study) and better understanding of the motivations. Essentially it's history, since we as the audience already know the outcome. The tension doesn't come from "what happens next?" but from "how did it happen?" Maybe it's just semantics and word-play, but there is a difference: it's answers rather than mystery.

 

Casting a prequel like a completely new story is a bit misleading. What's really taking place is a detailed history and revealing secrets and all kinds of tidbits that may have been hinted at in the source material but wasn't shown. It's an opportunity for exploration.

 

So, do I think prequels are bad? Not at all. They're another type of story that's just as valid as any other. But, they're tricky and seductive. Treat them with care.

 

- M

Wrapping Christmas presents

Wrapping presents is a chore for me. For some reason I end up with something like a lollipop no matter what I wrap. It's the ends that get me; I always have too much. And presents that aren't square frustrate the life out of me, because no matter what I do it's just a mess. So, I use a lot of boxes to hold the gift and wrap that instead. We all have our tricks, and mine is very basic.

 

Back when malls were still all over the place, they had services to gift wrap whatever you had purchased and they even did it free of charge for the most part. It was incredible watching these people whip the wrapping together and put a custom bow on it. Amazing! It was like watching a finely choreographed dance. People who are incredibly talented at what they do completely inspire me.

 

That brings me to a favorite series of web videos, and that's the "People are Awesome" series. These videos show people doing almost unbelievable things, one after another--in rapid-fire succession. Pretty much any athletic skill is represented, and what is shown will blow your mind. To see someone throw a basketball off a high-rise building and make a perfect bulls eye is hard to fathom, but so is watching a guy snuff a candle using a playing card from 10 feet away. Incredible.

 

Here's the video that started the sensation:

 

- M

Happy Birthday!

While it isn't my birthday, it certainly is for someone out there. So, Happy Birthday!

 

It's interesting how we choose to celebrate the day of our birth. It's a ceremony of excellence, commemorating the birth of someone very special: you. Think about it. We celebrate important events, and particularly events that are important for the greatest good. Sometimes we may forget just how valuable we are to each other, except for when we wish each other "Happy Birthday!"

 

Really, all life is a celebration. We are blessed to live in such prosperous times, with so much hope and such potential all around us. These days there are few things undreamt and even fewer undone. We've walked on the Moon, danced among the stars, and landed vehicles on distant worlds. Celebrating birth is a remembrance of out limitless possibilities and the joy those possibilities bring.

 

Happy Birthday! I'm glad you're here.

 

- M

Shelob, Queen of Spiders

Frodo and Shelob

Spiders have held a strange hold on me. On one hand they are nasty things that make my skin crawl (sorry to those who like them), but on the other hand they are nifty things in stories. My favorite spider is naturally Shelob from "The Lord of the Rings." She has one of the defining scenes in the entire Middle Earth series, and is one of the few things even non-readers know about. I'm not sure why that particular scene is so memorable, but I suspect it's because the spider is huge, intelligent, and pure evil that gets curb stomped in the end.

 

Tolkien came up with expansive mythology and history explaining Shelob and the spiders of Mirkwood. It's fascinating reading, but I'll admit I have a hard time spending such long thought on history that isn't real. However, I'm deeply impressed by it and tip my hat to anyone willing to learn it all. It was the work of many years, and definitely shows. Because of the immense amount of background information, Tolkien knew his characters and could better tell his story through them. There's a good lesson in that for anyone wanting to create a fictional world.

 

Shelob will remain on my top 10 list of best villains of all time. I really should write up a few top 10 lists; they do seem popular. Until then, though, I'm glad we got to see the spiders of Mirkwood in so splendid a fashion as in the 2nd Hobbit movie. They don't hold a candle to Shelob, but they were great anyway. I think I'll be reading the Lord of the Rings again soon. It's been too long...

 

- M

The Hobbit: The Five Armies

It's finally time. When nerds the world over will rejoice that at last we will see the Battle of the Five Armies from the Hobbit. Here's the poster in all it's glory:

 

 

This has been a key scene in fantasy for a very long time. I remember reading it in third grade and being in complete awe at the scale. I'm sure it set in motion my love of all epic fantasy, even though I was raised in Austria amongst all the great stories of old. This story is special; timeless. It remains a classic because it speaks to the human spirit in a way most stories do not.

 

And the end of that story is a massive battle, begun by a dragon and the untold lust of treasure. There are all sorts of moral lessons to be had, but what I'm wanting right now is a huge fight where the good guys win and the bad guys lose. And, it's got one of the greatest dragons ever to grace the Silver Screen! Smaug is incredibly realized, voiced, and used. This dragon is intelligent and vicious, which are two terrific things in a villain.

 

Sure, it probably is true that making The Hobbit into three films was extravagant, but so what? The extra material was part of Tolkien's world, and I don't mind it being used. If anything, I'm happy to see the Necromancer and Dol Guldur finally being shown. This final film should be unbelievable. It's the capstone for the story, the climax, and what we are expecting to fully satisfy. I doubt we'll be disappointed.

 

Get out there and enjoy it!

 

- M

Fighting dragons, and other normal things.

Like most kids, I dreamt of fighting dragons and flying through space. That's probably why I like fantasy and science fiction so much. The funny thing is, I never really grew out of that. I've always found time to spirit myself away and dig through a new book, fight a few beasties, and then return to whatever I was supposed to be doing. Vivid imaginings have played such a large part in my life I can hardly comprehend what it must be like without it.

 

One exercise I use to grow my imagination is to take a scene from a book and completely see it within my mind's eye. Not just to the point of what it might be like to see a movie version, but completely there where I can turn and see everything around me. I'm by no means a master at it, but it helps and offers up surprising vistas. I must say, it's really tough to imagine something entirely alien, but I keep trying. When it happens in the midst of reading, it's like stepping through the pages and into your own adventure. Because of that, I can say I've held the One Ring, and volleyed riddles with dragons, and flows space ships, and hunted the Great White Whale.

 

I've often read that the mind is a muscle, and needs exercise like any other. Reading certainly flexes those muscles, and so do other activities. But, there are few things you can do that are so actively impressive to the mind than finding a good story and pouring yourself into it. I think there's a longing inside everyone to be part of something majestic. Find it now. Grab a book and go for it!

 

- M

Tear, tear, two, too, to. Why is English so hard?

English can be a frustratingly difficult language. It doesn't help that even our basic vowels have exceptions... a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y. Other languages do have words that are similar in sounds, spellings, or writing. Yet, it sure feels that English is goofy in how often words are impossible to understand without context. Take the word: tear. Now is that like, "a tear fell from my eye." Or, is it "My book has a tear in the cover." Without context, the word is arguably useless, because the meaning is lost.

 

A fast favorite song of mine is "Word Crimes" by Weird Al Yankovic. Here it is:

 

 

I love how he plays with the words, and demonstrates many difficulties English speakers have. I must say, my heart goes out to anyone learning English as a second language. It's not easy. There are tons of exceptions, a massive amount of flat out memorization, and rules that don't even make sense--"i before e, except after c" I'm looking at you. We can blame such nonsense on Old English and all the other places we've taken our words from.

 

But, despite all this, I love English. I find it has words and uses that still delight me. There are so many varieties and such various ways to say the same things that I am happy to know it. Every language expresses thoughts and ideas to others, and there is real beauty in the words. And how words flow from one to another in such intricate dances is a high form of art.

 

- M

Nowhere else to turn, no other way, no option, take the leap ... and fly!

Youth has the unparalleled ability to look at a problem, turn it on it's side and let go. Why bother figuring it out when you can drop it entirely and jump over it? Anything is possible, and nothing is too far beyond reach. I envy that attitude. Age jades us, dulls the thrill of risk, and makes us more concerned with risk ratios than throwing out any caution and going for it. But, anyone can still capture that desperate freedom of letting it all fall away and leaping past that cliff of doubt.

 

We see this happening a lot on the type of "live" reality shows such as X-Factor, The Voice, World's Got Talent (not just America, if you didn't know), and so many others. People going in front of the whole world and demonstrating their talents, for good or ill. Some truly have talent, while others don't. But, I admire the courage and the determination to fling it all out and see what happens. Go for it! Make the plunge. Leave nothing behind and step forward!

 

This happens in stories as well, and I do have a personal favorite scene from the movie, "Speed." The setup is this: a bus has a bomb on board, if the bus drops below 50 miles per hour the bomb detonates. Simple enough, but now they are on a highway that isn't finished. Yikes. All the police escort falls back as the bus hurtles toward an improbable leap with impossible hope. It's a breathless moment. The entire movie hinges on that single time, and it fulfills that yearning very well indeed. I'll never forget how I felt when I first saw it, because my heart quickened as I thought about all the things I was reaching out for... hoping... praying... pleading. To tuck your head down and rush forward, leaping into space without knowing for sure if there is anything on the other side.

 

Yes, there is. Trust me. It's worth the risk.

 

- M

Ouch, toothache!

Sigh, I'm about to lose another couple of teeth. I feel like I'm in a cartoon. Really, like one of those where the cartoon character gets a mouth full of broken teeth and spits them out like a machinegun. It's not the same fun. I'll just say, "owie."

 

 

We all have pains and aches, so why is it that characters in stories tend to be so healthy? My guess is because we don't generally like listening to people complain and even more so with our fiction. While having pains does create a more realistic character, there's a really fine line that's easy to cross over. Still, I do wish there were more characters with more realistically frail bodies. It's almost like our heroes are superpowered or something. Even Superman has a vulnerability (no matter how trite) because without some form of weakness, there isn't any tension of possible harm to the hero.

 

It's funny how fickle we are about such things. On one side we love gossiping about someone else's failures and yet we dislike hearing about them. But, this event in my life again teaches me some valuable lessons about making my written characters more believable. Character quirks are fine, but actual flaws/vulnerabilities are also a good idea. When the audience is able to sympathize with the characters because of believable flaws, then it upholds the story and brings it to a higher level.

 

- M

 

ps. --Owie--

Viruses, Malware, Trojans, and all kinds of nasty critters

 

I've spent a great deal of my life understanding computers, and one thing that has never changed is that there are rodents out there who enjoy causing pain and suffering through computer viciousness. Back in the beginning the main ones were viruses and trojan horses (time-delayed viruses essentially). There were a number of other things (like "worms") but they dropped out of the dictionary because nobody understood them anyway. Sadly, people are still doing it and are getting vastly better and more devious than ever before.

 

Sony suffered a major attack this past week, when a group called *G.O.P* (not the political party) stole 5 movies and threw them out to the Internet. Then there was Stuxnet which the United States intelligence community deployed into the Iraq manufacturing sector and destroyed a bunch of equipment. Now the FBI has issued a severe warning about destructive malware. The supposedly invulnerable "Blackphone" has already been successfully hacked.

 

So, what can be done? First, don't click on any web advertisements (unless you are sure they are what they appear to be). Second, arm your computer with some form of anti-virus (Malware Bytes & Spybot are free, but there are many other fine one to purchase). Third, be aware that threats are out there and be cautious. Fourth, do not click on any emailed links unless you absolutely trust the email's sender (even then, examine the link's address and make sure it goes where it says it does). It's ridiculously easy to spoof a link, so err on the side of caution.

 

I hope these tips help you out. There are lots more things to do, but awareness is where it all starts. If you want to know more, Microsoft has an excellent site: http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/protect-pc.aspx.

 

- M