www.ErikSchubach.com - The Stomping Puddle of the Erik-Verse

www.ErikSchubach.com The Stomping Puddle of the Erik-Verse

July 28, 2014

For current information and discussions about my Music of the Soul books, visit my author blog here.

Magnificent MaleficentErik_Schubach Posted: 2014-06-01 09:29:16 Updated: 2014-06-05 22:42:51

When I was a child the old Disney movies made before I was born like the animated Cinderella, or the live action Shaggy DA, set the bar for entertainment.

But then came a dry-spell that lasted decades for me. Sure, they had hits like Lion King and Toy story and other Pixar animated movies released by Disney, but they never stick with you and pop immediately to your mind when you think of classics.

But something has happened within Disney in 2010. I don't know what it was but I like it. They started producing movies that stay with you long after you watch them again.

It started with Tangled, then just got better with Brave. And I was simply floored by Frozen last year, which in my opinion rivals Disney animated classics like Cinderella. Surely they couldn't top that...

But then BAM! I took the family to see Maleficent last night and I was simply blown away by the storytelling and imagery of movie.

This takes you on a whirlwind ride into the story of Sleeping Beauty, not through the eyes of the humans who spun the tale of the evil witch Maleficent... but through the eyes of the fairy Maleficent and the torture and betrayal she endured by the hands of the human that supposedly loved her.

Her need for revenge at the loss of her wings and her heart pushed her to become something dark. It took a child filled with wonder to melt her heart again.

If you enjoy classic and timeless stories that will stay in your heart long after you watched the movie, then Maleficent is for you.

The actresses that play Maleficent, Angelina Jolie and young Isobelle Molloy did a magnificent job portraying the character.

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Cooking up unexpected suprises!Erik_Schubach Posted: 2014-05-27 07:50:14

I went to a limited release movie last night called simply "Chef". It was star studded yet there was very little advertising or hype about it.

I was actually blown away by this simple story about a man who loses sight of who he is and what truly matters.

Chef Movie

He is a chef in a posh restaurant who is denied his creativity by the owner (Dustin Hoffman). He loses everything in a flame war against a food critic and is forced to re-evaluate his life and reconnect with his son.

On a trip to Florida, he purchases a run-down food truck. With the help of his son and his old line-chef, they travel across the country, reconnecting with the joy of the simple things in life and cooking.

I found myself engrossed in the tale and invested in the characters. It was a refreshing change from the dearth of action and horror movies that have flooded the theaters lately.

So I recommend you giving this little gem a try. You won't regret it.

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Stuck in the Continuum!Erik_Schubach Posted: 2013-05-23 10:30:29 Updated: 2013-05-23 10:34:52

Ok, there are few new shows on TV that are holding my attention, but the Canadian series Continuum has me hooked as a fan. I'm finding myself already getting excited for the second season to start.

Time travel movies and TV shows have been around since... I'm sorry, I have to say it I have no choice... the dawn of time. But there have been very few that kept my attention beyond a couple episodes.

Kiera Cameron - Continuum

Voyagers has always been the benchmark of a good TV time travel series. But its place has been unseated by Continuum.

It has a decidedly Time Cop flavor to it, but the stories and technology are laid out so well and the concepts of linear time progression paradox as opposed to divergent timelines is explained well.

It is pretty cool that she meets and befriends the man that invented all the technology she uses as a kid.

The actress that plays the police officer, Kiera Cameron, who is accidentally sent back in time with the terrorists is amazing.

She plays the emotions well of confusion and gradual acceptance of her situation. Not to mention the deeper emotions, knowing she will never see her son again.

It also doesn't hurt that she is stunningly beautiful. Rachel Nichols is actually a blonde, but I feel she looks much better as the brunette she plays in the show.

It is commendable that while trying to find a way back to her time, she is continuing her duty in hunting down the terrorists that traveled back in time with her so that they don't destroy the future she knew.

I recommend this series to any SciFi or time travel fan.

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Spider-Man Fan No MoreErik_Schubach Posted: 2012-12-28 21:58:59

Breaking tradition here and posting not on a movie or TV show, but on the travesty of Marvel Comics alienating the fans of the Amazing Spider-Man. Stan Lee (who has been one of my heroes my entire life) should be ashamed for allowing the company he spearheaded to kill off the most influential hero of many generations of comic book fans.

I was 5 years old in 1971 and picked up my first Amazing Spider-Man comic... it was an old dogeared issue #33 from a few years back. The story inspired me so much... he put such a herculean effort into moving the machinery that was pinning him down and stopping him from saving his aunt. He wouldn't let it stop him... his uncle had taught him that enduring lesson about power and responsibility. I became an instant and loyal reader. I spent most of my childhood collecting all of the back issues except for The Amazing Spider-Man #1 and Amazing Fantasy #15 (which I had to be satisfied with reprints).

Amazing Spiderman 33

For 41 years I have followed Peter Parker in his altruistic attempt to live up to Uncle Ben's and his own expectations. There have been unexpected bumps and hiccups along the way with some questionable story lines, but Peter Parker remained for me, the ideal of what a hero should be and a role model to fashion yourself after.

That is... until now. In all their wisdom, Marvel has decided to throw away all of it's loyal readers, in an act that almost smacks of betrayal.

Not only are they ending the Amazing Spider-Man title on its 50th anniversary and its 700th issue... but they killed off Peter Parker too. Leaving us with another man (Doctor Octopus) pretending to be Peter Parker and Spider-Man.

Amazing Spiderman 700

This is how they reward DECADES worth of loyalty... by giving us some imposter who is just pretending to be Spider-Man. I refuse to read the new Spider-Man title that will feature this sham. If it isn't Peter Parker, it IS NOT Spider-Man.

Congratulations Marvel, you have alienated a long time fan. There were very few titles left in the Marvel stable that I read (I always knew I'd be able to fall back on Spider-Man).

But Now, since Marvel has displayed no loyalty to its own readers, I feel I owe them no loyalty either. It is time for me to abandon ship and move over the DC, and Dark Horse titles.

I'm curious how they are going to make the next Spider-Man movie with people knowing Peter Parker is dead.

From this day on, I will be a Spider-Man fan no more.

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