2014

The Lusitania and MH17 (an echo in history)


It is May 7th, 1915 the United States of America does not wish to go to war. There is troubles on the Mexican border and so the President tries to distance himself from the war in Europe.
A British cruise ship sails upon the water closing upon it destination. When suddenly it is torpedoed by a German U-boat and sinks killing 1198 passengers on board. The news of this sinking shocked the USA since 128 of the dead were Americans. Unknown to most is that the ship was caring munitions for the war in Europe, but this did not matter. 128 Americans were dead. Within two years, America joined in World War I spurred on by this sinking of this ship.
It is September 1st, 1983 The United States of America is not at war but is locked it what is called the Cold War with the U.S.S.R. There is some trouble on the Mexican border, but nothing that is too worry-some. The President is determined to make the Soviets back down and so has increase the defense budget.
A Korean Airlines Boeing 747 accidentally crosses over into Soviet airspace and is shot down killing 269 including 62 Americans. The President interrupts his vacation returns to the White House and writes a speech, which he gives to the citizens of the United States on the 5th when it is determined it was shot down. He denounces the actions of the Soviets and takes the appropriate actions, which led to the disillusion of the Soviet Republic on December 26th, 1991.
It is June 17th, 2014 the United States of America does not wish to go to war. There is trouble on the Mexican border and so the President tries to distance himself from the war in the Ukraine.
A Malaysian Boeing 777 flies in the skies at 33000 feet not even halfway to its destination. When suddenly it is hit by a Russian made Surface to Air Missile sending it falling from the sky killing 298 people on-board including 23 with USA passport. The nation waits to hear what the man in the White House will say. As of this posting, he has only mentioned it for thirty-eight seconds before campaigning, photo-ops and fund raising once again. Will two year pass before those twenty-three people see their nation act as they watch from where ever they are in time before Christ’s return?
If you do not learn from history you are destine to repeat it.

Review: Godzilla (2014)


Having grown up watching the dubbed over Japanese Godzilla movies of the nineteen-sixties I was determined to go see this movie.
The moment I started watching it I felt I was watching one of these movies. The basic essence of that era of Godzilla movies was captured. The mystery of a huge monster going about unseen was shown once again.
The way things were presented you felt as though you were in the slightest way connect to that very first movie to feature this large creature within it. (Godzilla 1954). This is due to TOHO being fully involved in the production of the film unlike the last American version released in 1998.
The original look has been brought in the twenty-first century with the use of computer-generated effects. Gone are the days of the men in the rubber suits and Saber jets on wires sliding down to attack. Life has been given to the monster. A life he has never had before, to the very expression within his face and eyes.
In this one though I sensed a transition between these old movies and this new movie. They take you on a journey. A journey where the humans always opposed the creatures as they appeared from the sea and space to fight on the tortured islands of Japan. You are taken from just that island to the entire world being threatened. You see, in my opinion, humankind and the king of the monsters become allies to fight off the monsters that would wipe out all humanity. Possibly even Godzilla as well.

Base story I give: 4 swords out of 5 sword.
Acting I give: 4 swords out of 5 swords.
Special effects I give 5 swords out of 5 swords.
Overall rating is 4.33 swords