Welcome

Welcome to my ever-evolving blog. It started out as a blog on Beachbody workouts and products, mainly when I was a Beachbody coach. I no longer coach, not because I don't believe in Beachbody's programs (I subscribe to Beachbody on Demand and use their workouts every day), I am just not a salesperson and hated that aspect of it. I am more than willing to answer questions about my experiences with their products and the various workouts, and I feel freer to do so without the appearance of giving a biased review of something.

I have also started adding reviews for various things I have purchased like movies, books, CDs, and other products. This was brought about by a fight with Amazon in which all of my reviews were removed over a completely bullshit allegation that I posted a review that violated their terms of service. After going back and forth with the morons in the community-reviews department (even after they admitted that my posts did not violate their guidelines) they restored my account (which took them six months to do), but I have been posting my reviews on my blog to have them preserved in case something like that happens again. And here, I will post uncensored reviews so I will swear from time to time and post reviews that may be longer than Amazon's character limit. Everything I post here on any topic or product is my personal opinion, and I take no compensation for any product reviews I post. I am a member of Amazon's vine program and because I get those products for free, I keep those reviews on Amazon only, but everything I have purchased with my own money, whether from Amazon or some other store/website/outlet, I will post here.  

I also plan to do some longer blog posts on various topics, such as how to learn physics, how to get through calculus, and longer reviews of workout programs as I do them. Basically, whatever strikes me as interesting at the time.  As you can see if you navigate around the blog, I had many years in between postings. During that time I was going back to school to get an engineering degree, and learning material that I avoided my first time through college was a different experience and one that gave me a lot of insight into how to do well in those classes, which I will try to impart here for those who are looking to get a science or engineering degree. 

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Doctor Strange

 


Doctor Strange is one of the 2016 entries into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The movie tells the origin story of Doctor Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) and, in turn, brings sorcery and magic into the MCU/Avengers universe. It is the most different and unique movie of the movies and TV shows that Marvel has put out to this point (which tells one very long interweaved story). It also provides insight into how the settings of Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor, and The Avengers will all connect together. Granted, Thor can come to Earth on his own, but this movie provides another way for other characters to go to Asgard.

The story itself is fairly basic and tells the story of an egotistical doctor who loses the ability to operate after an accident and, while trying to heal himself, ends up in the world of magic. It is part a movie about him training and learning to use his powers and part battling the forces of darkness and the story's main villain (played by Mads Mikkelsen). The supporting cast comprises Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, and Benedict Wong. They all do very well in their respective roles. There are end-credit sequences, as you would expect. One that sets up one of the next MCU movies and one that is likely the beginning of the storyline for the Doctor Strange sequel.

For those who get the blu-ray, it looks and sounds great. It has the best visual effects of all the Marvel Movies so far, and they come out on blu-ray. For extras, there are about an hour of various making-of and behind-the-scenes features, a gag reel, a short comedy feature with Thor, and a commentary track from the director. Very good for what is there.

All in all, the movie is well-written and acted. It does not do too much, just setting up the character and giving him a good introductory storyline to work with. It is visually stunning but tells a good enough story that the special effects do not dominate the entire film. If you have collected the other movies and/or shows up to this point, chances are you will buy this anyway, but if you only have some of them, this is definitely worth adding to your collection.

No comments: