Chronicles of Riddick

I've seen the movie twice in the theaters, but I have just rented it again for the family movie night tonight, and I must say, I don't really care for the changes they've made to it. Normally, one can notice a small change in perhaps a line or scene for the occasional movie, but Riddick must have like 5-15 minutes of extra or changed footage, and I don't it makes the movie any better; quite the opposite, in fact. It seems to me that the extra stuff is unecessary, and at times a little hoaky and weird. I mean, it was cool that Riddick did that cool explodey thing this time, like they had in the commercials, but as he never did anything else similar during the rest of the movie, it seems out of place. I wish they had kept it the way it was.

Aside from the changes though, the movie is still quite entertaining. I'm still not sure of exactly what the religious aspects are supposed to represent though. It is clear that they are based in something, but whether they are showing christianity in a bad light or not is still to be seen...

Thoughtful I am

There is an irony inherent in the viewable media. Technically it also exists in some literature as well, but it is much less so, so it is for the time being irrelevant. As I was saying, there exists something of an irony, though perhaps a better word exists for it, but it shall do for the time being. It is really something of a look but don't touch, or like having a phantom limb. By this, I mean all of the amazing people one sees on the television and in the theater.

I doubt many people, especially those of us without someone, can watch tv often without developing some sort of crush on some actor/actress or character (I separate them because people can like the actor and not the character, or vice-versa). And this must be expected (heck, I can't recall a single person on my friend's list who hasn't had at least one tv crush). I mean, we are given some of the most beautiful people out there, who are then dolled up to look even better, and then we are given access to their lives, both in character and out of. The beauty catches our eye, true enough, but then we are given access that we are not often given by even those around us. Characters are given remarkable and witty lines and characterization, while the entertainment business gives us interviews on sometimes very personal levels. In short, we are often given an image of the seemingly best sort of people. It is a luxury that editing can afford.

So, naturally, we at times latch on, usually nothing more than a light crush (I disregard the stalkers, as they are the exceptions most often, as are many deranged people the exception to many rules), yet we are never given release save that of the crushing of time upon our thoughts. We can see these seemingly wonderful specimens that we inevitably want to know better, but cannot, for the glass is in the way. Unlike those crushes that can bloom or be released by the simple interactions with said people in our day to day lives, we are never allowed such contact with those we see on the screen in front of us night after night. It is a cruel irony at best, though one can say that to simply see such beauty in of itself is a blessing. I am not at all sure of this, but I suppose this also is partly the reason for such irony. To see beauty, yet never be allowed to truly experience it first hand seems bitterly tragic, but such is the way of many things.

I'm sure there's more to say about this, but I've forgotten.

More brother updates.

Apparently things are getting pretty bad where my brother is stationed. There aren't a whole lot of marines in the area, and the enemy seems to be getting smarter. They've been putting a shitload of mines everywhere, and a lot of injuries are occuring of late. So any prayers anyone feels like sending my brother's way would be much appreciated.