Movie review: Avengers Infinity War (zero spoilers)

Marvels newest movie, "Avengers: Infinity War" is finally in theaters! For those of us who are long-time fans of the Marvel's "Infinity Gauntlet" storyline, it's been highly anticipated. One word of warning: the cast of this film is gigantic, so it's a big help to be familiar with the previous Marvel films. Events are happening all over the universe, with evil Thanos squarely in the middle of it all. When Marvel comic books ran this event, it permanently shook up their entire lineup. I won't reveal who is affected, but if "Infinity War" is true to form, the effects are lasting. Why do I mention this aspect? Because great stories have consequences. If those consequences are just a bluff--fixed by a dream, or never actually happened--then it cheapens the story of this movie beyond words.

"Avengers: Infinity War" is a massive movie, combining aspects of plenty of the prior movies. Because of this, the plot hinges quite a lot on what you already know and instead jumps straight into the action. Everything happens in the present (aside from a short flashback scene), and the tension barely takes a break. The set pieces are grand and loaded with atmosphere. Character development is left to Thanos, but equates to: big guy bad. Thanos is a towering figure--powerful and ruthless in his behavior. He's not someone you do a dance-off against, or try to out-bluff.

I loved the movie. There's plenty of heroism, battles lost and won, and tragedy. I can't wait until the next part rolls in. This film is resetting the Marvel universe, preparing the way for a new breed of heroes. It's a gutsy move, just like the story the movie is based upon, and yet it's also sad to see the old and comfortable go away. Yet, listening to the audience reactions throughout the film, I'm happy to say that people were very into the story and hated to see it end. And that is the best sign of a good story.

Yes, I heartily recommend "Avengers: Infinity War." It was fun and engaging. I'm planning on seeing it again soon.

- M

Leadership and disappointment

As the Man in Black from The Princess Bride says, "Get used to disappointment." We all fail, it's inevitable. It's interesting to watch how leaders handle disappointment. For my example, I'm going to use my father. My dad regularly fixes things and judges the success by how many trips to the hardware store it took (such as, "Well, that was a three-trip job. Yuck."). My dad taught me how disappointment is a normal part of life, and not to get bent out of shape by failure. In fact, failure is an excellent teacher, if you allow it to be. The best leaders recognize this, thrive on it, and teach others not to be limited by it. All that from my dad--that's why he's my hero!

Why bring this up? I've seen over and over how petrified some leaders become when faced with disappointment. Leaders are always in an especially focal spotlight, their choices are dissected by underlings, and constantly second-guessed, yet a leader provides not only authority but guidance. Sure, they don't get everything right--they are human after all and not some super-alien--yet good leaders will wring every last bit of potential out of everyone around them. Leaders are needed to push forward activities, direct the flow of energy, and be the person to blame when it all goes wrong...

I believe anyone can be a leader. The thing to remember is to do your best and have confidence in what you're doing. That doesn't imply perfection, expertise, or even competence (I know plenty of great leaders who are incompetent in areas they manage, but due to great delegation are still effective). Yes, you'll mess things up, but hopefully you'll have more successes the longer you work. So, while you'll be "used to disappointment," you'll also be okay with it, and that's a good thing.

- M

Examine all the possibilities before you start. Maybe you'd like to share?

Something that frustrates me as an audience, is when information is hidden for no better reason that to be a whammy surprise. For instance, in the excellent movie, "The Martian," there is a specific point where the astronaut is figuring out how to communicate with Earth. It's engaging, interesting, fascinating, and bewildering. The audience is right there with him, both in thought and action. Then, the astronaut sees something on his computer, goes "Aha!" and scurries away. Immediately, NASA is watching his activity and puzzling over what is going on. All this is a mystery for a good ten minutes, as the NASA guy figures it out and says only, "I know where he's going." Then, there's an airplane trip, some rushing through a warehouse, and finally the big reveal, when they say, "So, this is Pathfinder." Tada! Huh?

The Pathfinder lander, with the little Sojourner wheeled rover, being prepared for launch.

First of all, why couldn't the astronaut have simply said, "Easy, I'll use Pathfinder?" The audience likely doesn't recognize what that means immediately and, even if they do, the information does little to dampen the suspense. Actually, I think the suspense would be greater, since the audience has information NASA doesn't yet possess. Why prevent the audience from knowing? Especially since the reveal of Pathfinder isn't fully understood until the beginnings of actual communications. I believe it's a lost opportunity to raise the level of storytelling.

I'm not sure if this is a trend, but it does pop up frequently. The funny thing is, keeping this information hidden is actually more work for the author, because it's really hard to misdirect an intelligent audience, so authors are forced to omit information and send characters wheeling about in a frenzy of non-explanation. Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" is a great example of doing it properly. Everything the detective knows is expressed to the audience, and we have the possibility (unlikely as it is) to figure out the solution before him.

Modern audiences are wise to story trickery, jaded by overused clichés, and eager to see anything new. Myself, I long for meaty concepts that stretch my imagination, and to enjoy stories that don't hold my hand and treat me like a grown-up. Don't arbitrarily hide something so there's a "zinger" later. I want to be in on the joke. I want to know what's going on. I want to be an active part of the story!

- M

Movie review: "I Can Only Imagine"

The song, "I Can Only Imagine" is the biggest selling Christian single in history, and this movie tells the story of how it was written. Like so many pieces of great art, it comes from pain and adversity. The author, a man named Bart Millard, bears immense childhood pain and the story of this incredible song is also the story of the redemption of both his pain and his abusive father. It's an emotional journey that will pluck your heartstrings ever more as it rolls along.

While the movies takes its time setting up the necessary characters and conflicts, there is hardly a pause in interest. I was amazed how deeply I cared by the time the movie finished. The best characters by far were Bart and his father, as it should be. And, the interactions between them are completely believable and heartfelt.

Like any kind of art, songs are written with tremendous variety and reasons. Some are simple, some are complex, but this movie makes it clear that the best songs are those coming from truth. You can't fake real emotions, because audiences know immediately. When Bart Millard reached through his life, he discovered a song that touched the world, filled it with hope, and gave us an instant classic. It's an impressive movie, and you should see it.

- M

New book released!

I'm happy to announce the release of my newest book! Woohoo! It is the final book of my Erahsil trilogy.



Buy it at Amazon

Skyfell Liberation

"The thrilling conclusion to the Erahsil trilogy!

 

"Loegaire has won, forcing Phaedra to escape while leaving Craig behind. Now, Phaedra must retake Erahsil, without an army, without a plan, and without any hope. But, since her first hesitant steps as queen, she has found inner strength she never knew before. Buoyed by conviction, she throws herself into the conflict, gaining unexpected allies and confronting the horror that is Loegaire.

 

"Whoever wins this final conflict, one thing is certain: Erahsil will be changed forever."

It's been a thrill to write this trilogy, and I hope you all enjoy it. Happy reading!

- M

The value of opinion

In my opinion, the most beautiful castle in the world (Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany)
image source

Why do we value the opinions of others? Well, when those opinions are from people we know and trust, it makes those expressions very important to us. You don't even necessarily need to personally know them. For instance, newscasters enjoy wide support, celebrities are given points for their fame, and if your best friend tells you to listen to someone's opinion then I'll bet you will. On the other hand, I sure wouldn't care what the fellow down the street thinks about my favorite restaurant, or a passing pedestrian says regarding a new movie.

The fascinating thing about all this, is opinion is a mercilessly personal aspect of life. A food critic may have decades of experience, yet it's still a personal opinion (though based on wide experience). This makes opinion a very dicey proposition. Why do we care so much about what other people think? Well, I believe it's because it's part of the many intricate connections that bind us all together. We deeply want to strengthen those ties, so we let people we know influence our own choices. So, when people grow more important to you, so do their opinions; it's only natural.

This also creates the strange realm of the professional reviewer. Usually, these people have wide experience in their chosen field, and so speak from that background. The rest of us seek out these opinions, in the idea that the reviewer knows what they're talking about. But, it's still just an objective opinion, so isn't something you can measure--kind of like how ice skating and gymnastics are judged. So, it's also an opinion if an opinion is an opinion to be trusted. And, that's my opinion on the matter ...

- M

Sometimes, all you need for a villain is ... yourself.

I've seen two movies recently with incredible stories, marvelous tension, yet distinctly lacking a visible villain: "The Greatest Showman" and "Everest." In the first, the tension comes from dreams and possible failure, while the second is a battle against savage natural forces. I suggest that the villains in these stories are actually the people themselves. We constantly fight ourselves, rage against our failures, and struggle to master our passions. These two movies are totally different genres, one being a musical and the other an  adventure/drama, yet share the quality of the human need to become better than who we initially are.

Tension is necessary for any good story, but there are no limits to the places these tensions arise. I feel that tension the greatest in stories where the main character is at war with themselves, because I face the same thing myself (and I suspect everyone else does too). When I experience stories where the heroes claim victory in this fight, it raises my own hopes and expectations. Isn't it incredible how watching, listening, reading, or otherwise following a story, provides such inspiration? This is the power of stories!

When the fight is against themselves, there's tons of introspection throughout the story. How often do we do this in our own lives? Likely not very often. Stories provide a safe place to carry on brutal reflection, and can shake us up enough to make us change for the better. That's a fantastic power for so simple an art form. This one aspect is what drew me to writing in the first place, even beyond the imagination of fantasy and science fiction, because it can foster real change. Everyone wants to make their mark on the world, and so do I. Stories provide the opportunity and platform. But, as Spiderman reminds us, "With great power, comes great responsibility."

- M

Movie review: The Greatest Showman

The musical, "The Greatest Showman" is one of those rare pieces of entertainment to dwells both in reality and fantasy. I admit that I had very little interest in the movie, so when my daughter wanted to watch it, I went along without much interest. However ... within mere minutes, I was dazzled by the production, the incredible transitions between scenes, and, of course, the music. Sure, there's nothing especially genius about an assortment of pop ballads, but wow is it engaging!

I love musicals, so I have no excuse for putting this one on the back burner. The story is about P.T. Barnum, the acclaimed head of the travelling circus. I know a bit about the history, but this movie isn't even pretending to be a biography. Instead, it's a story about imagination, hope, and faithfulness. Amazingly, it follows the "Hero's Journey" outlined so well by Joseph Campbell, so the story is very satisfying.

What's especially wonderful is how magical the movie is. The sets are sumptuous, the visuals arresting, and it begs to be seen on a massive screen. As I watched, I felt myself yearning to step through the image and dance along with the characters. The experience is thrilling. I loved it. The songs are great and I got exactly what I yearned for: sympathetic characters, in larger-than-life situations, who push beyond failure and find success. I loved it and highly recommend seeing "The Greatest Showman"

- M

Tough choices

image credit

Have you ever faced decisions where there's no obvious right answer? How about times where no matter what you choose, it all goes wrong? Sometimes, life drops you in the dustbin and doesn't seem to care one bit about what happens. We all face tough choices, impossible situations, and moments of utter despair. What do you do?

Family, friends, and faith do a great deal to help, but in the end you still have to bear the burdens of life personally. Isn't it interesting how often people will say, "I know how you feel," and you think to yourself, "How could you possibly understand? You're not me." People want to empathize, to show their support, and usually don't know how to express it. I think life would be impossible without them and their shoulders to cry on. And, faith can give you wings even when you are defeated and crushed. Again, I can't imagine life without faith.

Tough choices are inevitable. I wish life had a specific instruction book for everything; put Tab A in Slot B. Wouldn't that make things easy? We wouldn't have to fret and suffer under the knowledge that we don't know everything. However, then we'd be only automatons grinding along the tracks of determined, with no self-determination at all. I guess it's the tradeoff we make for having freedom. Liberty is both a privilege and an enormous pain in the hind quarters, but I'd never give it up. But, at least we don't have to face tough choices alone.

- M

Heroes and Villains in a modern world

Historically, heroes and villains have been stark contrasts. The good guy wears a white hat, and the bad guy wears a black one. In the past dozen years, there's been a wave of darkness over these themes, which has blurred the concepts quite a lot. The version of Batman from Christopher Nolan's movies follows Frank Miller's "Dark Knight" vision--a much grittier and world-weary Batman. But, that trend is reversing. Today's Marvel movies have crystal clear heroes, and the villains are pretty obvious. Considering how fantastically well these films are doing, financially, I'm betting audiences want that clarity again.

The great hero Odysseus confronting the sorceress Circe.

I suppose it's no surprise that people don't want their stories to be dreary and depressing all the time. Sure, it's more realistic, but wow, what a downer. Examine stories that have stood the test of time, and you'll find heroes and villains very plainly drawn. In fact, heroes tend to be paragons of virtue, and villains are scenery-chewing monsters. Good triumphs, and evil goes down in flames, yet it's a harsh struggle to survive. Despite the foregone conclusion of the outcome, the excitement is in the heroic journey and growth of determination in the hero.

So, I believe we are yearning once again for unrealistically pure heroes. Such heroes challenge us to be better than we are; braver, stronger, more willing to risk and lose. Heroes are the ultimate role models, imbued with everything we cherish and hope for in ourselves. Sure, that's unrealistic and ridiculous, but it's fiction so why not revel in audacity? We could use a few pillars of virtue in our modern stories. As much as I admire the darker Batman's realism, I wouldn't want him as a neighbor, but I'd love Odysseus (despite his scheming ways) because I know he would always protect me.

- M

Faith, hope, and love; family needs it all.

Groundhogs have family too
image credit

Family is a firm center in everyone's lives. We all come from a father and mother, though we don't all share the blessings of remaining in that state. Wherever you find yourself, family is vital to health and happiness. Don't forget our siblings either, because they better understand us than anyone else. Family defines us, provides heartfelt values, and deepest love. Family gives us wings, trains us to fly, and lets us wing our way into the sky.

Whatever we do in life, there's a bit of our family inside it. To the heights of praise, or the depths of misery, our family is near to our thoughts. I pray there's more good than bad, more love than hate, and more hope than despair. Family is worth the time and effort to keep strong. Like most things, it takes care and attention to maintain a strong family relationship. While there's no magic solution to difficulties, there's plenty of resources available if you're struggling.

So, if your family is being a pain and annoyance, I hope you'll realize that family is still valuable beyond measure. Funny thing about treasure--it's value is what you believe it is, because even diamonds are only shiny stones to those who don't recognize them. With all the pain and suffering in the world, it's nice to have a family at your side. Give your parents a kiss. Hug your brothers and sisters. Show them just how important they are to you. Maybe you'll laugh, maybe you'll cry, and just maybe you'll experience the wonders of family all over again.

- M

Budding flowers, growing grass, and the glories of the outdoors.

Around our area, things are budding and blooming. The tulip trees are lovely (at least until the first heavy rain knocks it all down) and grass is poking up from the ground. Everything is growing and lush, glorying in the sunlight and drinking in the rain.

I hate it.

Okay, no, I love seeing the beauty of nature, I truly do, but my allergies go absolutely ballistic with all the fluff in the air. I'm pretty much allergic to everything--except cats, oddly, but give it time--so the growing season is especially problematic. However, I can still find a good window and watch it along with everyone else. It's glorious and I miss being able to go out for long walks with my wife and lay in the grass. Well, life changes and I must adapt.

That nicely brings me to the topic of bugs ... get ready for the invasion of gnats and flies, wasps and hornets, bees and moths. It's a good thing we have bug spray. But, even bugs are fascinating. At the last state fair, I examined some really incredible displays showing bugs from around the world. The variety is stunning, and their beauty undeniable. Butterflies and moths are flying paintings, hopping critters come in so many sizes I could scarcely believe it, and we all know how gorgeous caterpillars are (except the kind that will actually kill you with their poison hairs).


Amazing, right? They are called Glasswing Butterflies
image source

So, yes, nature is flexing its muscles and bursting out all around. Enjoy it, while it's being civil and kind and beautiful.

- M

The complex issue of perfection

image credit

The new Star Wars movies have brought a character type into sharp relief. It's a concept called the "Mary Sue" or "Gary Sue." Originally a one-time character on Star Trek, this type is essentially perfect at anything they do, even beyond experts already doing those tasks, without any flaws. In "The Force Awakens" we are introduced to Rey, who is interesting and charismatic and fun--and also incomprehensibly good at whatever she wants. This isn't necessarily a problem, because the actress makes it interesting. However, what could ever challenge a flawless character? Story is based around conflict, and a main character without troubles has no conflict.

It's a seductive concept for authors, because it's very easy to demonstrate how incredible the favorite character is, because they do absolutely anything with aplomb and confidence. However, this sabotages all the other characters. If the story only requires a single star character, that's one thing (boring, but okay), however if there are more main characters then they never shine on their own. Having perfect characters may well steal any sense of trauma and danger from a story.

While audiences usually want to see the heroes succeed, they also want an exciting experience. A common twist of plot is simply for the good guys to fail, and that's impossible with a perfect character. I think a happy compromise is to give characters a singular skill, which they absolutely excel at, and let that be it. Let a character struggle and you draw in your audience, then your audience and characters somehow work together to bring the final result. It's a magical experience to join with the story and feel the world explode around you.

- M