大家好！
Greek man here reporting from...Greece! Been here for about 4 days now for some time with family and friends. Kim's coming in on the 29th too so I'm pretty excited. Can't wait to show her around Athens and stuff.
I've been sitting around a lot lately so I got into some thinking of how I can improve the blog and make it more fun. So far I've followed the standard procedure of just writting about the things I do as they come to mind. But I feel that this isn't really enough to really capture the marvels of this incredible experience I'm living through.
After the jump I'll be breaking down what I'm considering.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Avatar
大家好！
Greek Man here with a slightly different topic. I recently saw James Cameron's Avatar and I thought I would share my thoughts on the film. As you all probably know by now, I'm a major sci-fi and fantasy buff. Naturally I would go check out a film like this one. And besides, it's James Cameron!
Before I begin, I would like to point out that first and foremost that everything I state here is my own personal opinion. You are, of course, welcome to comment. Also, I am obligated to inform you that there might be some major spoilers here and there but I'll try and keep it at a minimum. If you want the movie to be a complete surprise though, do not read after the jump. xD
So to start off, I'm going to say just one thing: WOW! That pretty much sums up my entire impression because I really thought it was one of the best movies I've seen for at least the past five years. Why?
- Solid story
- Amazing CG and special effects
- Memorable characters
- Highly imaginative elements (creatures, environment, etc.)
- Good and convincing acting/voice acting
The whole movie is a spectacle that takes you on a wild trip to a beautiful place filled with vibrant colors, floating mountains and giant trees.
Many will argue that the story is not unique and it borrows too many elements from other movies, the likes of Pocahontas and Ferngully. I agree, it's not something entirely new but it's solid. There are no loose ends, everything that needs to be explained is explained more or less and, most importantly, it doesn't try to be something more by over complicating things. Some also go on to say that this is just "another tree-hugger flick" that's all about loving nature. I don't believe in the derogatory meaning of "tree-hugger" because there is simply nothing wrong with loving our planet and its environment, and yes the movie is trying to deliver such messages. ***SPOILER ALERT START*** Personally, when the humans were about to open fire on the Hometree I was at the edge of my seat thinking "Wait, their really doing this? Somebody stop them!!" If you really felt nothing at that point, then I guess you don't feel that burning all our forests is wrong either.***SPOILER ALERT END*** There's not much more to say about the story really, because it's pretty much straight forward. For some this may be a deal-breaker, but in all honesty I've seen so many movies that attempt at doing something different and fail miserably either because they end up with a bunch of loose ends that may or may not be tied (unless they are gunning for a sequel) or because the film makers tried to cram inside way too many elements.
From a technological standpoint, this movie is a gem. The CG used is, I believe, by far better than Transformers 2. They have managed to create an entirely new world with its own animals, plants and people. It's not just the high quality of the graphics but also how it all manages to blend in perfectly with the live actors. Kim and I saw the regular version since the tickets 3D were being sold for double the normal price. After we walked out we both agreed we needed to see it again in 3D. ***SPOILER ALERT START*** I definitely want to experience all the flying scenes in 3D. Those were by far my favorite. ***SPOILER ALERT END***
I'm not going to go into anymore details really. Just go see it. I'm sure that most people really enjoyed it. Whether you are a sci-fi fantasy buff such as I, or just enjoy good movies I feel that it has a little for everyone.
Greek Man here with a slightly different topic. I recently saw James Cameron's Avatar and I thought I would share my thoughts on the film. As you all probably know by now, I'm a major sci-fi and fantasy buff. Naturally I would go check out a film like this one. And besides, it's James Cameron!
Before I begin, I would like to point out that first and foremost that everything I state here is my own personal opinion. You are, of course, welcome to comment. Also, I am obligated to inform you that there might be some major spoilers here and there but I'll try and keep it at a minimum. If you want the movie to be a complete surprise though, do not read after the jump. xD
So to start off, I'm going to say just one thing: WOW! That pretty much sums up my entire impression because I really thought it was one of the best movies I've seen for at least the past five years. Why?
- Solid story
- Amazing CG and special effects
- Memorable characters
- Highly imaginative elements (creatures, environment, etc.)
- Good and convincing acting/voice acting
The whole movie is a spectacle that takes you on a wild trip to a beautiful place filled with vibrant colors, floating mountains and giant trees.
Many will argue that the story is not unique and it borrows too many elements from other movies, the likes of Pocahontas and Ferngully. I agree, it's not something entirely new but it's solid. There are no loose ends, everything that needs to be explained is explained more or less and, most importantly, it doesn't try to be something more by over complicating things. Some also go on to say that this is just "another tree-hugger flick" that's all about loving nature. I don't believe in the derogatory meaning of "tree-hugger" because there is simply nothing wrong with loving our planet and its environment, and yes the movie is trying to deliver such messages. ***SPOILER ALERT START*** Personally, when the humans were about to open fire on the Hometree I was at the edge of my seat thinking "Wait, their really doing this? Somebody stop them!!" If you really felt nothing at that point, then I guess you don't feel that burning all our forests is wrong either.***SPOILER ALERT END*** There's not much more to say about the story really, because it's pretty much straight forward. For some this may be a deal-breaker, but in all honesty I've seen so many movies that attempt at doing something different and fail miserably either because they end up with a bunch of loose ends that may or may not be tied (unless they are gunning for a sequel) or because the film makers tried to cram inside way too many elements.
From a technological standpoint, this movie is a gem. The CG used is, I believe, by far better than Transformers 2. They have managed to create an entirely new world with its own animals, plants and people. It's not just the high quality of the graphics but also how it all manages to blend in perfectly with the live actors. Kim and I saw the regular version since the tickets 3D were being sold for double the normal price. After we walked out we both agreed we needed to see it again in 3D. ***SPOILER ALERT START*** I definitely want to experience all the flying scenes in 3D. Those were by far my favorite. ***SPOILER ALERT END***
I'm not going to go into anymore details really. Just go see it. I'm sure that most people really enjoyed it. Whether you are a sci-fi fantasy buff such as I, or just enjoy good movies I feel that it has a little for everyone.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Zai jian 2009...you won't be missed
Ni hao everyone^^ Happy New Year! Ah~ Smell that? It's the air of 2010. A new fresh start to what we all hope to be a better year. I send out all my best wishes to my family, whom are currently in Florida and I hope they are having a blast! I love you all and miss you more than anything. Can't wait to come back on the 20th. Oh yeah, did I mention I'm returning to Greece for 3 weeks? Yeap! Also, my best wishes go out to my all my friends back at home! Missing you guys loads too! Sorry I'm not on MSN frequently but I'm doing my best.
So what about my new year's? Well, I spent it with the three lovely ladies in the picture above. After some less than awkward conversation blended in a mix of broken (on their part) English and hideously broken (on my part) Chinese I taught them some really basic poker. We had a lot of laughs! It was a great start to what I'm hoping to be a better year. 2009 was just...meh. As for my resolutions, read after the jump.
For starters, I'm not one for resolutions really. Maybe because sometimes I tend to not follow them and other times I just plain change it all up along the way. So I decided that this year will be no different. I'll make them and then whatever will be will be. It's worked out for me so far. I'm alive, I'm healthy, I have an amazingly supportive family, I have the most fun friends in the world, I've got the best girlfriend I can possibly hope for and, most importantly, I'm me. I like me. And these people like me too. So why change? If it ain't broke don't fix it, right? Well ok, there's always room for some improvement and tweaking. I'm not big headed nor some elitist jerk. But I do have the confidence that ME as ME can go a long way.
First off, I plan to stick to one of my most crucial changes. I will not smoke anymore. I've been doing it for awhile now and I plan on keeping it that way. Ever since I got over that 1-week-hump of frustration (the horror!) I can safely say that I feel happier, stronger and, believe it or not, more stress free. Now of course it ain't over 100% yet. I still can't brush off completely the smell of that sweet...ahem...disgusting smoke every time I have a smoker standing next to me puffing away. I also cheated. Yes, I admit it right here for all the world to see. I bumped a Marlboro Light's from one my Korean classmates. I was ashamed and disappointed in myself. But the fight goes on! I urge you all to do the same. Especially YOU (you know who you all are). This is a resolution I will darn right stick to.
Second, I will try to think more outside the box. What does that mean? Well, it differs from situation to situation really. For me here it mostly means, I will not look at my degree and think "Hm, I will be a manager". In all honesty, I don't want to be a manager in another person's company. Why? Because in most cases those managers end up losing their souls. They become mean evil dictators because they have to play by rules set by someone else. I'm a firm believer that each person should stand by their own beliefs and resolves. OK, I've taken this too far. My point is I won't lock myself down to just what a piece of paper says. I'll find my path by expanding my field of vision.
Third, and I know my bro's gonna scoff at this yet again, I will find the discipline I need to finally learn to play SOMETHING on my Epifone Les Paule. I know I know shame shame shame and I should be thrown into the deepest darkest pit for letting such a beauty sit there without being caressed and loved. Seriously, I don't know what it is but I get extremely discouraged very quickly. Maybe I haven't found the right way yet. But I haven't given up the search yet.
Forth, and this is for me exclusively really, I will be a way better fighting game's player. I love the scene and watching players here just gave me that urge I had back when I was part of the Greek Dojo community. I don't care if I become the best or what have you. I like playing Street Fighter and others of the sort. Their fun games and be a very interesting hobby if you get into them a little more deeply then just mashing away buttons (which undeniably can be fun as well).
Fifth, I will lose more weight. That's pretty much all there is to say about this. I'm still not where I want to be (believe me I'm pretty far off) and I'm pretty sure my trip back to Greece is gonna set me back (Curse you Simply Burgers with your unbelievably juicy and delicious...burgers!)
Finally, concerning social networks and my...not so social "behavior" the past few months. I have managed to find a general pace in my life here so from now on I'll be doing some more posting. But I also have a few things in mind I want to do for the blog. I won't say now but whatever I end up doing I hope you all will like.
So that's it from me for now! I'll catch you all on my next post!
Yannis
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