Making Some Changes

Ok so I am trying to add pages and some other content to the page. So don't mind the dust because as soon as everything has settled will be a ok.

I have got a store for Remote Theater up and running. Click on The Remote Candy Bar and check out some of my favourite movies, soundtracks, toys and collectibles and of course actual candy (lollies, sweets, chocolates...whatever you want to call it). Not a lot there now but trust me there will be tons.

Hope everyone enjoys the new changes. I know I will enjoy making them.

Robin Williams: A Top Ten

Robin Williams was one of my favorite actors so I really feel I could not go without revealing my top ten most loved Robin Williams' movies.

1) Club Paradise: "No man is an island Jack" truer today then ever.

2) Dead Poet's Society: introduced to me by another great man, my English teacher Mr Gino Abbesinio, may he also rest in piece

3) Popeye: "I am what I am"

4) Hook: remember never grow up completely

5) Aladdin: we never had a friend like you but we all wanted one Genie

6) One Hour Photo: just showed an amazing range of skill

7) World's Greatest Dad: did not need the gratuitous nude Robin Williams scene but also made the movie

8) Man of the Year: humor really is needed in the White House

9) Patch Adams: a smile goes a long way

10) The Fisher King: all those that are lost can be found

This is one actor that everyone will truly miss. My condolences to Williams' wife, children and friends and to all your fans out there.

Robin Williams A Loss to All

I still remember watching an episode of Happy Days and the Fonz having to match wits with a weird alien that sat on his head and drank with his finger. I laughed so hard that episode. I wanted so much to see more of that wacky alien and before you knew it that crazy alien had his own show, Mork and Mindy. Every week I would eagerly sit and watch Mork with my family tears rolling down my cheeks as I laughed. Robin Williams was probably the first actor that touched me and I became a huge fan.

Everything he did was gold to me and it did not matter what others or critics thought I enjoyed every moment of Williams career. Heck it would be safe to say that because of my fandom of Williams I became a fan of movies and TV, Comedy especially. He made me look at the world with a smile and a joke. Even when I was down watching one of his movies and listening to his stand up brought me back from the brink. Reminding me to never take the world too serious. 

So when the news came to me that Robin Williams had passed away I felt it to my core. It was like a family member passing. Someone I had known so long was gone in an instant. I feel even worse that this blog had not become popular enough so hopefully one day I would get a chance to meet or talk with him.

Then to find out that a person that seemed to be the happiest in the world died of suicide it was heart wrenching. How? Why? This was Robin Williams, funny man extraordinaire and to find out how he was battling with the same depression and hurt that millions feel (myself even at times have felt the world on my shoulders and considered the end as a means out) made him less super human and more human...and his passing pained me even more. 

I have read post after post on Facebook, Twitter and on countless news sites. Tribute videoes have been made by the dozen and thousands of pictures have been posted. It saddened me even more to see so many people have been touched by a man they never knew but yet he did not see it.

So Robin is gone and we all grieve as his family grieves. Have a moment and catch up on a favorite Williams movie. Say a na-nu na-nu to a passerby. And remember that no man is an island Jack. Depression hits even the biggest of us so the littlest of us remember that you are not alone. 

Give and help to all those affected by depression www.beyondblue.org.au 

Review of Transformers: Age of Extinction (or Review of Explosions withStory About Robots....BIG Robots)

Sorry long overdue.

I keep starting and stopping and then wipe everything away and start again.

Basically I am not sure how I feel about the fourth movie in the Transformers franchise. I enjoyed it probably more then the second or third movie but still I felt it was lacking a little something.

I will give the movie a 7 out of 10 but can seriously say not sure how I feel about the franchise as a whole.

I grew up on the Transformers and over the years have seen the multiple series and have liked some and others could care less about. So I was excited when Hollywood decided to make a live action movie. But ultimately I was somewhat underwhelmed.

Special effects are awesome and have been ultimately happy with the robots chosen but the story is just lacking a little bit. The humans in the movies have been ok but their chemistry together has been a bit off. There have been moments here and there that people shine but then the next movie comes out and the good characters are gone and new ones come in that mess everything up again. And Bay I know you love your explosions but really think there may be a smidge too many. 

In total the franchise gets about a 5 for me. I find the movies entertaining but they do need a bit more substance. Michael Bay go back and watch the original series and get a feel of what made it last so long. See if you can find that magic element and bring it to movie 5. 

I will say about the new movie. Go see it if you have been entertained by the previous movies in the franchise. I was entertained and did enjoy it but was not wowed by it.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Marvel Done Good...Really Good

I said it early on that for Marvel's Cinematic Universe to succeed Guardians will need to be good. And oh my god they delivered. And now this truly opens up Marvel's library for some serious movie magic. 

And the success of Guardians now has Marvel stepping up and decided another lesser known set of characters need a movie. And we are getting The Inhumans coming soon to a theater near you in the future. 

And the discussions from fans surrounding Ant-Man is amping up. And the buzz for Big Hero 6 (even though not part of the universe) is getting good. All off this ragtag group of outlaws and their fun ride of a film.

So what is next Marvel? Finally a Black Panther movie? What about Alpha Flight (not sure if with Fox or not) to bring in the mutants since X-Men is not coming back to the fold just yet? How about Power Pack? Would make another great animated Disney feature like Big Hero 6...just saying.

The possibilities are just endless now for Marvel. 

So back to Guardians of the Galaxy....wow. You really came through for fans on this one Marvel. A few people I know said they went in not wanting to like a raccoon with a gun or a wrestler trying to be an actor and left loving both. I have to agree with them.

Every character worked and worked well together. The humor was always there but did not overshadow the action or drama of the story. And the soundtrack (now part of my music library) was incredible. It is rare that a movie has a soundtrack that just adds that extra element of awesome. 

There is something for everyone in this movie and is far from disappointing. I have heard some reviewers and people saying this is the best of the Marvel series so far. I may not go that far but I will say that it exceeded my expectations. 

Marvel I give this movie and solid 9 out of 10. Please keep up the great work with the lesser known characters.

Oz Comic Con Day of Comics, Toys, Cosplayers and Queues (lots of queues)

Ok this is really late but had to be finished.

Nothing like a day of nerdiness and what a better way then to be amongst my own kind at Oz Comic Con.

  

                                      

Now I use the term Comic Con lightly because these conventions have less and less to do with comics and more to do with pop culture, TV shows, games and movies. And there were a lot of toys, games, stars and such but the amount of actual comics it had was seriously lacking. Guess I am an old purist.

But that being said the amount of pop cultureness was as huge as ever. And I was among those fans lining up to get in and search for the newest and coolest for their collections. Working my way through the autograph lines and picture lines for a brush with stardom.

So let's get into Oz Comic Con....wwwwooooo......ok enough excitement let's get to the nitty gritty.

So myself and the rest of the crew headed into the hallowed halls of Royal Exhibition Hall in Melbourne and were immediately placed in a queue.....first of many. Now standing by the ticket tent waiting for the media pass to get that full unprecedented access I quickly saw the lines growing and growing for those that paid for tickets and those still wanting to buy tickets. I have been among these people in the past and was glad not to be among them now. Not becuase of who those people are but because it is a long ass line....I hate lines but love dorky conventions....it is a catch 22. 

                                       

Within the hall was a multitude of stands, people and toys....way too many to buy. I was glad to see at least one large company there with Nintendo showing off the latest and greatest in gaming. Would have been good to have a big comic company showing off like Marvel or DC but again not what comic cons are about anymore. King's Comics had a great showing with a stand full of trades and toys. And had a great chat with the folks from Iconic Studio Creations (and no they would not let me look in the Tardis.....something about blowing my mind and leaving me a dumbfounded vegetable after seeing in to the heart of time and space.....or just shattering the illusion of what is in there).....but it is ok...I did not want to be privy to the truth...*sniff*. 

Got a couple shots with the guys and gals of the 501st raising money for the Monash Health Services (always take a pic with these folks and give to their charity of choice for the day they do a wonderful job). 

And of course we stood in lots of lines for food, toilets, to get in....luckily with the media pass did not have to stand in the massive queue of people that had pre-purchased tickets or wanted to buy on the day......God bless those poor souls standing there in the cold waiting.

Now there were plenty of stars (check out maxi-geek.com for interview with voice over actor Jason Marsden) but unfortunately I was not able to get in for the interview day and we did not head to any of the panels. Today for us was just a look around at everyone's wares and checking out the cosplayers. Just being general sticky beaks.

Overall would say Oz Comic Con is worth the price to get in and have a quick look around and make some purchases. Head on out next year and give them a look. Next year will have to get in some interviews and get a couple pictures with a few favorite stars.

Still Here

Ok finding work, children and life in general making it hard to keep up with this blog.

I really do need to get my rear in gear and get typing.

I have been keeping up with posting to Twitter @remotetheater and on the Facebook page regularly so make sure to check those out.

And I promise to get these stories out more often.

Trailers Trailers Trailers

Ok so I need to really get into this site being about movies a bit more.

To assist myself in this I am going to use the heck out of Twitter and Facebook. 

So please follow @remotetheater on Twitter and like the Remote Theater Facebook page. And feel free to retweet my Twitter posts and share my Facebook page updates with all your friends and family.

Thank you all for reading

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (or How to Take a 2 Year Old to the Movies)

                                 

                             

I was lucky enough to head to the movies and catch How to Train Your Dragon 2 recently. Now as a parent of three toddlers going to any movie at the theater is a feat in itself but this movie had to be seen. I really enjoyed the first movie and love the TV series ( have seen the movie and show so many times I could recite whole scenes). So this movie had to be seen on the big screen. It was also significant because it was the first movie that my wife and I took our 2 year old to see. So officially the first movie he has been to see (well that he will know about....hope he does not remember us taking him to see Ted at 6 months....there were plenty of other parents at that cry baby session so do not judge me) in the theater. So not only did I get to see a fun, warm and tear jerker of a film but I got to see it through the eyes of one very small (but very large) Toothless fan.

So this will not only be a review of the new movie but will also be a tale all about what was a wonderful experience with my family....and away we go.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (referred as Dragons 2 throughout the review because it so much easier to type) is the direct sequel to the first movie taking place about five years since Hiccup and crew found out that riding dragons is better then fighting them. And just as magical and action packed as the first movie was the sequel did not disappoint. This has to be one of those rare sequels that is easily as good if not better then the original. And that is saying a lot considering most sequels loose a little bit of its punch because expectations are high but not Dragons 2. Hiccup this time around meets up with a very large human villain this round in Drago Bludvist and his dragon army. But joining him in his fight is not only his merry band of riders but his very much alive and mysterious mother, Valka, also a dragon rider and Eret a dragon trapper in Drago's employee.

Every moment of this movie had myself (and my little boy) on the edge of my seats. Beautiful animation, wonderful voice cast and a completely engaging story made for a wonderful night of movie viewing.

                  

And sitting there watching the whole thing with me was my little boy. His big Build-A-Bear Toothless beside him staring intently at the screen catching everything while seriously chowing down on my popcorn....must have been the cool Dragons 2 popcorn bucket but he was not getting my drink....ok he got the little Toothless topper but I got the drink....ok he got a little. This is a little kids dream getting to come to the movies and have a bit of junk food. He sat there enjoying every second. And at that age his reactions are just so much more animated than an adults. He cheered for the heroes, had a little sook during the emotional moments (even climbing I to mom's arms once) and even had a little giggle for the funny bits (usually anything involving the twins....TJ Miller and Kristen Wig are just made to be the voice of the troublesome twins). It was the magic I had as a kid going to see a movie and I got to sit there and watch it unfold. I wonder if it was as beautiful an experience for my dad taking me to the movies as it was for me and my wife taking our little boy. And even better I get to do it two more times.

I really did enjoy this movie a lot. I am now looking forward to the direction the TV show takes (next season being called Dragon Masters and taking place after the film) and where the third movie in the trilogy will go. 

1. Easily this movie gets a 10 out of 10 and will be watched again and again and again once it reaches BluRay. Thank you cast and crew for not only a great film but giving me and my family an experience we will remember for a lifetime.

Happy Anniversary My Wife 7 Years And A Top 7 Movies That Remind Me OfYou

Seven years ago on 07/07/07 I married the love of my life, my wife Ange.

I was lucky enough to come across this wonderful woman one day trolling the movie chat rooms. One Goonies reference from each of us and it was love....we had to give each other a big fat lickery kiss.

In our time together she has not only loved me but she encouraged me to remain a dork, enjoy my Lego, made me start this site and gave me three wonderful very spirited boys. I love her as much today as I did then. 

So to ring in our seventh year together I thought what a better tribute to her then create a new favorite movie list. Something that will be a love note forever on the internet. 

So I give you.....Top Seven (get it top seven....seven years....married 07/07/07....I know explaining it looses the impact but this is my writing style) Movies That Remind Me Of My Wife

1) The Goonies: The movie that brought us together. And what a great movie of action and adventure for the family. I want our kids to be as adventurous and to search for buried treasure.

2) Shrek 2: This was our first date movie. Ange had come to the United States for our first visit together and I took her to see this animated classic. And I am a big Ogre and she loves me.

3) Ted: Why because we went to see Ted at a Cry Baby session taking our 6 month old son (who luckily slept through most of it). We were so concerned we were being bad parents until we saw the good 30 to 40 other parents bringing their sleepy babies to hear the foul mouthed teddy.

4) Captain America: Techincally our first movie with our first child....he was still four months away from birth but he was as excited to see the first Avenger as we were and kicking away inside through all the action packed scenes. Was a nice first family outing. 

5) How to Train Your Dragon: This had to be the first movie where I saw my wife get emotional. She always has a little smile when I get choked up in a movie so was a nice change of pace to see her get a little teary eyed.

6) The Matchmaker: This is one of my wife's favorite movies. She used to have just an old VHS copy for so long that we would watch. So one year I was able to find a DVD version and now I do not need to have the VCR hooked up anymore.

7) A Christmas Story: Besides being a big part of my life in general this is the first movie I tried to get my wife to watch that she did not care for. I believe that she just did not watch it under the correct circumstances like for 24 hours on Christmas Eve but it could just be me.

There you go many more memories tied to movies and all having to do with my wonderful wife and our anniversary.

Love ya babydoll every year just gets better with you.