Everything That Has A Beginning...Has An End...And A Ranking. The Matrix Ranked

I learned something this retrospective.  That I, along with plenty of others, severely underrated this film franchise and trilogy.  While it has some problems, I'd like to know another franchise that is without fault.  With the sequels, I think many people mistook confusion and their inability to comprehend some plot points and devices for anger and dislike.  Sometimes you don't get a movie on the first view.  Sometimes we have expectations that aren't met and don't open the door and allow ourselves to appreciate what it is they are giving us.  The Wachowskis gave us a pretty damn good trilogy that I think really deserves more respect beyond the praise of the first movie.  Its also a franchise that sort of pioneered and incorporated outside sources or expanded universe material in a way that was pretty effective.  I'm excited for the next time I sit down to watch this franchise through.  This retrospective was a both a reminder and eye opener for the quality of The Matrix series.  For the first time, I'm incorporating into this, everything I've covered for the franchise as canon.

Sleepy Hollow - Episode 09 - "Sanctuary"

My loyal CraneCasters, apologies up front.  I've had a busy week and was planing on writing this while out of town.  Unfortunately as I sit to write this, I realize I have forgotten to pack my notes.  So, I'm not going to be able to provide a play by play this week but I can give you my thoughts Sleepy Hollow's latest episode before taking a week off.

The Matrix Retrospectived: The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

The Matrix Revolutions
2003
Director: Andy & Lana Wachowski
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Harry Lennix, MONICA BELLUCCI
Rated: R

Seraph:  Did you always know.
Oracle:  Oh, no.  No I didn't.  But I believed...I believed.

The Matrix Retrospectived: Enter The Matrix (2003)

In addition to The Animatrix, The Matrix sequels had a video game tie in as well.  And no, this wasn't some generic LJN type thing, this was the real deal.  This had the actors from the movie in a plot with scenes written and directed by the Wachowskis.  It was a pretty big deal.  The story didn't follow Neo, Morpheus, Trinity and the gang though.  It followed the exploits of Niobe and Ghost aboard the Logos.  When playing for the first time after seeing The Matrix Reloaded, one can go "Ohhhh, so THAT'S where Jada Pinkett-Smith's scenes went!"  She was a big casting announcement for this movie back in 2002 and when you see the film you're left kinda like "That was it?" with her.  But come the video game, she gets far more meat to chew on.

The Matrix Retrospectived: The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

 

The Matrix Reloaded

2003

Director: Andy & Lana Wachowski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie Anne-Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Harold Perrineau, Monica Bellucci

Rated: R

I can't help it, Morpheus, I can't help thinking, what if you're wrong?  What if all this, the prophecy, everything is bullshit?

                  ~Niobe

Sleepy Hollow - Episode 08 "Necromancer"

For my normal readers who may be coming in expecting The Matrix Reloaded (it's coming either tonight or tomorrow) and are baffled at a Sleepy Hollow recap mid-season, well if you listen to the IchaPod CraneCast which I co-host with Aaron Neuwirth and Maxwell Haddad you'd know we are on a hiatus while Aaron takes a quest to South Africa for two weeks.  For our listeners I've agreed, to recap these missing couple weeks here.  In addition, I'm also going to to cover 2 episodes of of The Walking Dead for Aaron as well...so be ready for that.

Anywho, let's get into this, because we had another badass episode of Sleepy Hollow on our hands!

First: Thank you to whoever decided to put the Captain Irving axe dodge in the opening recap!  The IchaPod CraneCast appreciates it!

The Matrix Retrospectived: The Animatrix(2003) -PART 3

Here we are with the conclusion of our run of The Animatrix.  This glorious collection of shorts displays what seems like an endless amount of possibilities for this franchise outside of its main story.  You don't need Neo, Morpheus or Agent Smith to fill this universe.  I'm surprised this franchise hasn't turned to TV.  It would be a PERFECT medium to continue these stories.  The format would allow for really cool one-offs and interested further explorations of The Matrix that could take their time and not have to get to an endgame due to having to be concealed within 2.5 hours.  For now, thank you to this brilliant little run of shorts, while they can be incredibly different visions and stories, they manage to maintain the integrity, philosophy and heart of the series, easily making it one of the family in this franchise.

SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT Returns To Theaters This December!

If you don't go, Billy will PUNISH you!  The great Justin Beahm is teaming with Screenvision and Fangoria to return the controversial holiday classic Silent Night, Deadly Night to theaters.  Its got an all new amazing HD transfer too!  It opens December 4th to what I'm sure will amount to ZERO protesting as opposed to the first time around!  Can we also take a moment to marvel at this really awesome new poster design?  I remember the original poster of the Santa's arm with an axe going down a chimney being iconic, but this thing takes the movie to an incredibly new area of dread.  I hope this rerelease is a sign that a Blu-ray is definitely in the works.  I love when my 80's slashers come to do high definition and this is a big one that is missing.  Also, if this does well, maybe we can celebrate "Garbage Day" next year!  Official details from the press release and a link to where you can find tickets follow below!

The Matrix Retrospectived: The Animatrix(2003)- PART 2

Now we take a look at the next 3 entries of the series.  In addition to Final Flight of the Osiris being released in theaters, 4 of these shorts made their debut on the official website for the franchise.  The remaining 4 debuted on the DVD release in 2003.

The Matrix Retrospectived: The Animatrix(2003)- PART 1

Previously, we covered Dark Fury for the Riddick series.  This is the project that inspired that.  In anticipation for The Matrix sequels in 2003, the creators went back to the well where they received their inspiration.  The Wachowski's produced a series of 9 tie-ins and one-offs revolving around the world created in the first film and setting up the second film.  The stories all would take on different styles of Anime with many different contributors.  I'm very much a person who really enjoys these stories and considers them very much a part of this franchise.  If you're purchasing a set of the 3 movies and this isn't included; you're doing it wrong!  In the next 3 pieces, we'll be going over each of these shorts.

Introducing THE COLLECTIONARY

If you've noticed to the side, there's a little link with Superman on it called "The Collectionary".  If you click it you'll be taken to a super cool online shop where you can find tons of items, rare and fun regarding our favorite hero in a red cape.  But, they're not just limited to Superman, there's stuff there for fans of sports, movies and many other things.  Since they are big fans and sharing my blog with their shoppers, I find no problem in giving them the podium for a second to let them tell you a little bit about their shop!

The Matrix Retrospectived: The Matrix (1999)

 

The Matrix

1999

Directors: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano

Rated: R

You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize?  Ignorance is bliss.

                       ~Cypher

Why I Can't And WON'T Hate On THE WALKING DEAD

 

This article was intended to be posted right before the season 4 premiere of The Walking Dead, but I kept a strict "Nothing but Halloween" policy last month here.  But in light of my Twitter feed and articles I've read in the past week or so, I think now is a perfect time for it.