My random thoughts after watching Captain America Civil War

And I do mean random. I’m hoping by now most people have seen Captain America by now that I am not spooling too much. And yes, I know that it has been a while since I’ve written anything but you know …”things, life, whatnot.”

“Life is not whatnot, and its none of your business.” Sorry that was a John Hughes Sixteen Candles rant … “Sixteen Candles, John Hughes? You know that guy too?”  Sorry that was a Dogma rant.

Where was I, oh yeah Captain America Civil War. I thought the movie was good. It had a nice balance of humor and serious undertones. Then, I was taken out of the movie by one scene. The k-i-s-s-i-n-g scene between Sharon Carter and Steve Rogers. It’s not about the actors, but I felt that scene was kind of forced. And I was thinking, why are you kissing you are practically family. In an alternate universe somewhere out there Peggy and Steve get married, and that’s all I got to say about that.  

Wait one more thing. Maybe two more things, but I am also wondering did I miss something? Do Sharon Carter and Steve Rogers really know each other? I mean I know they were neighbors, but does that mean they talked, like friends? Wait, one last things, would Peggy be cool with this? The love of her life and her niece. It seems kind of rude. Luckily Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky (Sebastian Stan) took me out of that scene with their smiling at Cap.

I will have to say something, some may not agree with. But if I can say something, if I can say something. This was the first Marvel movie I did not like Tony Stark. Yes, he is usually a smart-alack but that is what makes him funny. This time, it was like “I’m depressed about Pepper. Now I feel guilty. So now I am going to overcompensate and go overboard.”

No wonder the bromance between Tony and Steve ended with a Dear John letter. I kept hearing Taylor Swift lyrics “We are never ever ever getting back together. You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me.”

Gee wiz. Even T’Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) understood that Bucky had been brain washed and certain things were not his fault. He gets it. This time, I think Stark went too far. I mean was it necessary when Sam asked if Rhodes/War Machine (Don Cheadle) was okay for Tony Stark to shoot at him? But I guess that it’s a necessary part of the story. You got to tell both sides.

Not sure how I feel about Spider-Man. Tom Holland is funny as Peter Parker and brings genuine naivety/innocence to the character. That’s all I got to say about that. I am not sure there was enough for me to say cool beans, etc. I know, I know they can’t character develop just yet.

So those are my thoughts on Captain America Civil War. And in conclusion, “You see us as you want to see us – in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess and a criminal.”

See that? Full circle. And somehow that Breakfast Club quote works.

It’s about vampires, ostensibly

 “It’s about vampires, ostensibly ...” Yep, this is the title I am sticking with.

Well it’s about social media, but not really. It started off that way but did not end that way.

So I think a while back I attempted to write about social media, Twitter in particular. But I was as the kids say a newb. Or, is it noob? I am attempting to write about it again because it’s been on my mind. I’ve been wanting to write about it for a while, but have been afraid of coming across as “complaining,” or it just won’t come across right. In thinking about it, it has lead me to other thoughts that are a bit more serious. I think it will make sense. It will. I hope. Stick with me on this one.

How do you make a lighthearted observation without coming across as hating the something you are making an observation about anyway? I guess it’s a subtle art, like making a mix tape. As Rob Gordon would say, “The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem. You gotta kick off with a killer, to grab attention. Then you got to take it up a notch, but you don’t wanna blow your wad, so then you got to cool it off a notch. There are a lot of rules.”

I’m not sure how I’ll do but hopefully this comes across that way. Social media sometimes reminds me of a high school setting. “You see us as you want to see us ... in the simplest of terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain … and an athlete … and a basket case … a princess … and a criminal.”

Sorry that felt like a John Hughes moment. I guess my point is there are days when you feel like you don’t belong. You’re not exactly in any category. And sometimes it’s not just a once in a while thing, it’s like your whole life thing. I wanted to bring this is up because words matter, and most of all people matter.

Whenever I find myself in that kind of a mood. You know the mood where you think you don’t fit. There is one thing that has recently come to make me feel better. I thought I would share it. Most of you might know it …

“Every inch of me shall perish. Every inch, but one. An inch, it is small and it is fragile, but it is the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it or give it away. We must never let them take it from us. I hope that whoever you are, you escape from this place. I hope that the world turns and things get better. But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that even though I don’t know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you. I love you. With all my heart, I love you.”

I know what you’re thinking Melissa, why would you pick a sad scene from a movie to make you feel better? It’s like I said words matter. And one of the greatest things about words are even though they are the same in spelling, they always have a different meaning to everyone. And that’s why people matter because without the differences how would we come to understanding and forgiveness.

As the Doctor would say “900 years of time and space and I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important.”

Random thoughts about books, television, things, life, whatnot

Life is not whatnot, and it’s none of your business. That was a John Hughes reference. Sixteen Candles, John Hughes? You know that guy? That guy. I think I may have said this before, but I think that John Hughes needs to be part of youth education. He is timeless.

I recently saw a hilarious book review on YouTube. Then it got me thinking what if there is no such thing as a bad book. Wait, hear me out. What if it’s just a matter of preference? Because someone, even if it’s one person, liked the book. Right? (She asked not to confident.) Maybe what I mean by preferences, is maybe since our brains function differently. It’s like when I read a book that I can’t get into, I can’t say that I don’t like the book because that would not be fair since I have not finished the book. And I will try reading the book later because my mind is not in the right frame of mind in a manner of speaking.

I often joke with my husband that I should put out an ad for a work friend. I used to have one, we talked about movies, funny things we’ve read and seen on the internet. While it is stuff that I already talk to my husband about those things first, during breaks I can continue that conversation during the work day. So then I started thinking about what my work ad would say. Would I just list a bunch of things that I like? You know looking for a work friend, must like some or most of the following. Also should know that this list does not include everything that I like, and I’m happy to be lead to read/watch recommendations as well.

Doctor Who

Firefly (not just the show but the actors as well)

Star Trek

Star Wars (Yes, I like both.)

Babylon 5

The Guild

Parks and Rec

Scott Pilgrim (comic series and film)

Battlestar Galatica and Caprica

Defiance (On that note, I also enjoy the music of Bear McCreary.)
Books (While I know that is a broad subject. It’s good to read, discuss and share.)

Speaking of books is there a certain copy of Mockingjay that everyone else read? With all the teasers and movie trailers that I have come out I have to say, I liked the ending of the book.

Speaking of books I recently read Rat Queens, 1-5. While there is some language in the series, it is not said just to be funny, crud, etc. I like that my husband tells me about the comics and books he reads because then I get introduced to series like Rat Queens. For those of you who have not read this series, it about a questing team of misfits who like to have fun as much as they like to fight. And I have say, Gary is my new hero.

Speaking of my better half aka my best friend, I often wonder if people give us a strange looks because he waits for me to get in the building. That needs some context. Since we first started dating, when he would drop me off he would wait until I was in the house before driving away. My husband and I carpool because his work is nor too far away from mine. Now he does the same thing when he drops me off at work. Call me old fashion but I like that he does that. And I like the fact that I can turn around one last time and see him smile before my work day begins. I just realized old fashion is not the right phrase, I think being in love would be more accurate. Just because you’re married does not mean that you should stop being in love. And just because you are a certain age does not mean you’re heart stops leaping when you hear their voice on the other end of the phone.

Love blossoms at the con. –lovely couple from Comic-con: Episode IV – A Fan’s Hope

Hello, my name is Melissa and I'm addicted to BBC shows, John Hughes movies, and...

You know how some film classes have certain movies on their curriculum? There are days when I tell my husband if I had a class about films, this movie or show would be watched. The following are my favorite movies and television shows. In no particular order because they are all equally awesome.

The Breakfast Club. There are some youngsters today (hehe I said youngsters) who will not know the joy and heartache of being a teenager. Before there was the WB and such we had Pretty In Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, and Sixteen Candles. John Hughes movies should be required class materials.

The IT Crowd, the BBC version. Two words, Moss and Roy. One question, “Hello IT have you tried turning it on and off again?” It’s hard to explain The IT Crowd if you have not seen it. And I don’t mean that in a “don’t worry citizen I can take it from here” kind of way. If you are every on the YouTube you’ll have to look this up.

The Muppets Take Manhattan. I can’t say that I do not care for cartoons or kids shows today because I have never really seen them. But what I can say is that Jim Henson was a genius. In my humble opinion, he led the path for studios like Pixar to have a comedic balance that is funny for both kids and adults. Let’s not forget Labyrinth. Magic Dance. And don’t forget my favorite phrase, "It’s not fair!"

My So-Called Life. If John Hughes is the King of teenage angst, Winnie Holzman is the Queen of Teenage Angst. In my humble opinion she has a way of writing her characters true to life. Even now when I watch this show it takes me back, and I say to myself I remember feeling this way, or that character reminds me of the friend I had. I think her and John Hughes’s stories stand the test of time and can be relatable for young people today.

(Side note, as I am writing this I know I will keep thinking of more to add to the list. Then once I am done I will say, I can’t believe I forgot this one.)

Dazed and Confused. One time my husband played Slow Ride for a class presentation when getting his RTF degree. Afterwards some of his class mates said hey that’s a great song, where is it from? He replied Dazed and Confused. They had no idea what he was talking about. Never hear of it. To which my reply was the same as his, mouth opened in disbelief. It’s hard to believe some people will never know where All right, all right, all right come from when referring to Matthew McConaughey.

The funny thing is that not much separates these films and TV shows from others. The events and situations range from simple to crazy. Muppets are on the list. It’s the characters that make all the difference and the little details that make them unique and memorable. There are reasons why they stand the test of time and become part of our lives.

“Sometimes someone says something really small, and it just fits right into this empty place in your heart.” – Angela Chase