Robin Williams

Last week, as many of you will have heard, the man/myth Robin Williams sadly took his own life. His death will leave a big hole in many of our hearts as his films and comedy touched many minds. In my post this week I would like to reflect on the legacy that he leaves behind.

Firstly, I would like to state that I'm not going to praise every single appearance he had. Whilst he was a superb actor, he was also fallible. For instance I believe his performance as the genie in Aladdin  is the weakest part of an otherwise amazing film. Also his stand-up never appealed to me, although I can appreciate the impact he has had on American comedy circuits. But, Robin Williams did have an impact upon me on numerous ways and I want to talk about a few of these.

• Aladdin- This film is one of my favorite Disney animations and fondly watched throughout my childhood (due in no small part to it being my fathers favorite and we seem to have various copies as he forgets we own it already). However, as I have touched on already William's character in this was the biggest let down, if I'm honest he was just too childish for my taste.                                                                                                                          
• Hook- I am a big of Peter Pan fan and Hook is a refreshing take on the classic children's adventure. William's portrayal of a Peter Pan who has not only grown up, but also forgotten his life in Neverland is amazing and at points touching. He's perfectly balanced too by Dustin Hoffman as the villainous Captain James Hook.                                                                   
• Patch Adams- I have only seen this film recently, but can recommend it whole-heartedly. A story (based loosely on true events) about a doctor whose core belief is that a happy patient will take better to treatment. It is a great feel-good film for when your feeling blue. Laughter is, after all, the best medicine.                                                                                              
• Jumanji- Growing up this film always seemed to be on TV at one time or another. Despite this I always found myself watching it. I'm not quite sure why I did watch it eagerly as it's far from perfect. Just one of those films to have on in the background as I go about other things.   
• Mrs. Doubtfire- This is a bit of an odd one as I haven't actually seen this film. But, it is a film I am desperate to see. People are always citing it as being a brilliantly funny film and I feel like I commit a disservice by missing out so far.                                                                    
• Legend of Zelda franchise- Lastly as a gamer the last mention I'd like to make is to Robin Williams as a patron of the Zelda games. He was an avid player of the series, starring in trailers for them and even named his daughter after the princess. This year the two attended E3 and a mask held by Zelda gave many fans hope for a re-make of a classic.

These are just my personal observations on the career of Robin Williams. I realise I have barely scratched the surface. I would like to send my condolences to his family and friends who has left behind and who I'm sure feel the void more that most. I welcome your observations in the comments below about your views on his career.

Image from Lightlybuzzed.

San Diego Comic Con 2014

For some the San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) is a big event, and while it does showcase film, TV, comic, game and general media news, I never get too hyped for it. This is partly due to it being such a big event and that so much is announced that I have trouble knowing what's happened. But it is also because whilst I do obsess over media, like any good geek, it is mainly gaming that I strive to stay up to date with.

Regardless of this I do keep an eye out for news that interests me, in this post I thought I would round-up the things that peaked my interest.

More than a few clever cosplayers around.

Films

• Guardians of the Galaxy 2 will be coming to theaters on July 28th 2017, this more annoys me then interests me. How can the sequel have been scheduled before the first has seen release?
• There was a trailer for Avengers:Age of Ultron and apparently it has a very dark tone. I can't wait to catch a glimpse myself as this description of it sounds amazing.
• Horns is an upcoming murder mystery film starring Daniel Radcliffe. He plays a man as a man growing horns (normal?) following his girlfriends disappearance; things get weirder still, as people around him start to act rather odd. I checked out the trailer and think it looks rather promising. Who said Radcliffe would be typecast as a adolescent wizard all his life?

TV

• Constantine after the rather disappointing film a few years ago I'm surprised to see this getting a reboot. But from the trailer it looks good, very supernatural, mysterious and maybe even spooky. After recently being rather disappointed with American Horror Story: Asylum  perhaps I can get my shivers here instead.
• Gotham is something which I have paid very little attention to, which is odd considering I'm a massive Batman fan. I put this down to not being too interested in Batman's early years, let alone anything before he takes upon the mantle. Yet, after watching the new trailer I feel like I perhaps should be paying attention, as it looks like it could be impressive.

Comics

• This surely wasn't a surprise for anyone, the Jokers coming back to Batman comics with Scott Snyder's Endgame story arc. Not yet sure how I feel about this, he may be my favorite character, but his 'death' at the end of Death of the Family felt rather appropriate. I will see when the arc begins in October.
• A comic series will be released as an official sequel to the 1999 film Galaxy Quest. I loved this film and a return to the story is long overdo. Also announced is a crossover between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters, which I can't even begin to imagine and soon won't have to. (Article about both here)

Games 

• Firefly Online was shown and although not an MMO fan I can't wait for this. I love everything about Firefly except, of course for it's cancellation.

If you think I've missed something, or you have a stand out moment of SDCC then let me know in the comments section.

Cosplay image from GoNintendo.

My latest Obsession #1: American Horror Story

Do you ever get into something so much that you can't get it off your mind? I certainly do, my life has been littered with times characterised by my latest obsession. This week a new obsession grew within me, one with horrific consequences.

I was walking through my local HMV, when I was drawn towards American Horror Story; like a puppet on a string. I felt compelled to pick up the box by it's striking cover photo. I loved the disjointed feel it has as characters don't seem to be engaging with each other. It just oozes multiple mysteries and couldn't help peak my interests. I hope that someone got a raise in the art department for this one.

Up until then, I had assumed to be a typical American drama. I'm not sure why I had assumed this, perhaps due to one of the producers previous work on the show Nip/Tuck. However, as I have mentioned in my Ringu post, I am on the lookout for something that will chill me to the core. With a title like American Horror Story, you would think I'd have at least taken slight notice.

One aspect of the that didn't help is that it also looks rather sex obsessed. This is something that has put me off other series like True Blood. Whilst I don't object to sex, I don't like when a TV show becomes more about showing skin then fleshing out the story. Too often, I find that they focus on sex in order to seem dark and edgy, but to me it just seems a bit childish. Often coming across like some desperate teenage boy's fantasy.



The picture created questions that demanded answers.

When I picked up the box I still wasn't convinced as whether it could warrant it's name. The description on the back doesn't help - with little to indicate that it is anything more than a family drama. It also seems more interested in advertising it's all star cast, rather than the story. This is another trait I see in many American shows, like Six Feet Under, which I tend to avoid like the plague. I have my own family issues - so why would I be interested in other peoples?

Yet, something about the box made an impact. With the subtly disturbing images that seem unconnected and distant from one another leaving an impression on my sub-conscious. It can't help but capture your intrigue with the promise of mystery. When I discovered the first series on Netflix and with a spare afternoon, I decided to give the pilot a try - I'm glad I did. I was hooked from the get go, but with the chilling opening line 'you're gonna die in there,' how could I not be?

Check out the trailer!

Somehow I watched half the first season in a single afternoon - I haven't had a TV marathon session like that since Heroes. I confess, I'm hooked, but unfortunately I'm also stuck. I recommended the pilot to my girlfriend, and now she has asked me to wait for her whilst she catches up. This wouldn't be too bad if not for the fact that she is rather busy (find out why on her blog, sorry for that cheeky plug).

I can't get it out my head; I keep thinking about it's complex plot and twisting details. That's a clear sign of an obsessesion, when you can't stop yourself agonising over possibilities. Already I can tell that I will soon have watched season two and three. Then I'll be impatiently waiting for season four.

I urge those of you have yet to be bitten to give it a try. Even the squeamish amongst you will feel compelled to keep watching.

What do you think of American Horror Story?
What are you rather obsessed with?
Are there shows you want to recommend, then let me know in the comments section.


Cover image from Life in the Dollhouse